Development guide
Welcome!
In this section, you find tutorials and examples to get started with Software Robot Development with Robocorp.
The big picture
You have an idea about a process that needs automating. Great! Where do you start?
With Robocorp, you will use code to express your robot's steps to accomplish its tasks. Our stack is based on Python, so you will feel right at home if you are familiar with it.
In addition to using pure Python, you can add Robot Framework into the mix. Robot Framework provides a higher level of abstraction and -we think- will make your life easier. And, because Robot Framework is based on Python, you can also easily combine the two approaches. Your choice!
You won't need to start from scratch, but instead, you will stand on the shoulders of giants by taking advantage of existing open-source libraries. Your code will add the missing pieces and make the automation work for your specific use case. Because the libraries are open-source, you are encouraged to propose improvements or even create new ones!
You can run your robots locally with our tools and orchestrate them in Control Room.
The tools
Which editor will you use? It's up to you. Do you have a favorite already?
If you like VS Code, just add our VS Code extensions and you are good to go.
Or, you can use whichever editor you like and use RCC, our command-line tool alongside that.
Learning materials
You are in the right place! In this section, you find examples for many use cases spanning a variety of target systems. Just choose one that looks interesting!
On the Robocorp Portal site, you can find complete example robots that you can run immediately and learn from.
Check out the Robocorp YouTube channel for video content!
We have also created free courses to introduce the main topics:
- The Beginners' course will guide you through a simple and fun use case while showing you the basics of our tools and infrastructure. Earn the Robocorp Level I certificate!
- The Build a robot course challenges your robot-building skills. Earn the Robocorp Level II certificate!
- Learn about building robust and scalable robots in the Work data management course. Earn the Robocorp Level III certificate!
- The Software robot delivery process course will explain the phases of a typical automation project.
- The Software robot project workflow course will show you how to collaborate in a real project and how to follow development best practices.
Hello world!
Very simple examples to get started with software robot development with Robocorp.
Desktop automation
Use automations to control desktop operating systems and apps. Employ Windows, Mac (macOS), Excel and other desktop automations to improve business processes.
Locators
Automating websites and applications, you will run into locators or selectors.
Automate sending and reading of email messages.
Working with Excel
Teach your robots to read and write into Excel spreadsheets.
Google Sheets
Learn how to connect your robot to Google Sheets.
SAP
How to work with SAP.
File system
Examples of file system operations: Create, copy, move, overwrite, delete or remove, check for existence, list files and directories, and many more operations!
Handling PDF files
Create, read, and fill PDF files with your robots.
Working with Control Room
How to orchestrate your robots and processes efficiently with Control Room.
Assistants and user interactions
Learn how to create attended robots that can collaborate with a human operator to achieve any task.
Working with databases
Interacting with databases in your automation code
Multi-factor authentication (MFA/2FA)
Enabling robot processes that require multi-factor authentication
Machine Learning and AI
Learn how to integrate machine learning and AI features into your robots.
Working with HTTP and APIs
Your robot can speak HTTP directly to interact with APIs and web services, download and upload files, etc.
Integrations
Learn how to use integrations to enhance your development process!
JSON
Convert, read, write, manipulate, save, and load JSON.
Robot Framework
Robot Framework how-tos and examples.
Salesforce
How to work with Salesforce.
Slack
Learn how to connect your robots and your Slack workspace.
Templates
Templates to start a new project
Typeform
Integrate your robots with the popular online service for forms and surveys.
Variables and secrets
Learn how to properly handle important credentials and leverage variables in your robots.
Logging
Learn how to control logging globally or for individual keywords.
XML
How to work with XML.
QA and best practices
Learn the best practices of software robot development and level up your skills.
Anti-patterns for automations
Patterns and models to avoid when developing automations