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Introduction to Python

PythonExtra is a custom Python runtime made for ClassPad calculators, built on top of the gint kernel.
It lets you build games, utilities, and animations using pure Python, while accessing low-level screen rendering, key input, and more — all optimized for performance.

If you’re just getting started, no setup is needed.
Just open your Codespace or use your favorite editor and you’re ready to write Python code that runs directly on your calculator!

Instant start with Codespaces

Section titled “Instant start with Codespaces”

The fastest way to start using PythonExtra is with our pre-configured GitHub Codespace.

You don’t need to install anything locally — just open a project in the browser and start coding:

🐍 Python template Pre-configured Codespace to build PythonExtra apps

Need Help While Coding?

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Stuck on something? Don’t worry — you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

You can ask help directly to the
👉 👨‍💻 PythonExtra ChatGPT

If you’re old school, you can also ask
💬 on the ClassPad Club

Beginner Tutorials

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These tutorials will walk you through the essentials of PythonExtra — from printing your first message to creating animated programs.

Step 1: Drawing Your First Rectangle

Section titled “Step 1: Drawing Your First Rectangle”

Learn how to:

  • Draw a custom logo made of text
  • Move it across the screen
  • Bounce it off screen borders
  • Exit the program on key press
🖥️ Drawing Your First Rectangle Draw a single rectangle on the screen

Step 2: Drawing and Colors

Section titled “Step 2: Drawing and Colors”

Learn to draw colored shapes, fill the screen, and use screen coordinates with precision. Perfect for starting any visual project.

🎨 Colors and Shapes How to draw rectangles, lines, and circles using gint

Step 3: Handling Input

Section titled “Step 3: Handling Input”

In this tutorial, you’ll make a simple game where you move a shape around with the keyboard. It covers real-time input with pollevent() and keydown().

🎮 Moving a Rectangle Move shapes around with key input
Section titled “Step 4: Bouncing Logo”

Learn how to:

  • Draw a custom logo made of text
  • Move it across the screen
  • Bounce it off screen borders
  • Exit the program on key press
💽 Bouncing Logo Simple screen animation using drawing and input

Step 5: Snake ? Snaaake !

Section titled “Step 5: Snake ? Snaaake !”

Put everything you learnt in practice with the classical “Snake” game

🐍 Snake The first game ported to the ClassPad

Step 6: Drawing Images

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Use tools like fxconv to convert real images into Python data and draw them on screen.

What’s next?

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If you’re comfortable with drawing, input, and animation, try combining them into your own game or app. PythonExtra is capable of running surprisingly complex things — and you can always peek at sample projects like:

🧱 cg_chute.py (3D falling platforms) Advanced 3D-style platform game made with PythonExtra

Technical Documentation

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Want to dive into the internals and low-level functions?

Check out the full technical documentation
(also available in french for some reason 🇫🇷)

There’s also casioplot module. Not really great for games, but might be useful in other contexts!

Try Drawing Code Online

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Want to quickly test simple drawing code (like gint.drect, gint.dpixel, gint.dcircle, etc.)?

You can use the PythonExtra REPL (beta) here:
🌐 python-extra-repl

⚠️ This REPL only supports drawing commands.
Functions like gint.getkey() or gint.pollevent() won’t work.
Avoid infinite loops like while True:. You’ve been warned.

All the Examples

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Want more sample code?

All examples can be found here:
🔗 https://git.planet-casio.com/Lephenixnoir/PythonExtra/src/branch/main/ports/sh/examples

⚠️ Note: some of these aren’t tailored specifically for the ClassPad, so you might need to tweak them.