# BrickCode (pxt-ev3) v1.6.0 Released **URL:** \ **Category:** EV3\ **Created:** [November 3, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/brickcode-pxt-ev3-v1-6-0-released/46912 "2026-11-03T20:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![THEb0nny](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/theb0nny/32/3500_2.png) [@THEb0nny](https://forum.makecode.com/u/THEb0nny)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/brickcode-pxt-ev3-v1-6-0-released/46912/1 "2026-11-03T20:56:02Z")
Hello MakeCode & LEGO EV3 community! 👋 I noticed that we haven’t made any releases for a very long time. We are thrilled to announce the release of BrickCode (pxt-ev3) v1.6.0! Even though LEGO officially discontinued EV3 software support, the community-driven MakeCode EV3 target is very much alive and kicking. This release represents one of our biggest updates yet, packing over 300 commits filled with long-awaited bug fixes, hardware improvements, modern MakeCode core upgrades, and brand-new features. Here is a breakdown of what’s new in **v1.6.0:** ### **🔊 1. Full LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Sensors Support (with Simulator!)** Many classrooms and builders still have a treasure trove of legacy NXT sensors. We have brought first-class support for NXT sensors into the editor, complete with physical brick drivers and interactive simulator widgets: - **NXT Sound Sensor (`nxt-sound-sensor`)**: Measure sound levels in **dB** (sound pressure) and **dBA** (human ear weighted), react to threshold events (`on sound loud/quiet`), with a real-time responsive sound meter in the simulator. - **NXT Touch Sensor (`nxt-touch-sensor`)**: Seamlessly integrated and aligned with EV3 touch sensor behavior (pressed, released, bumped), including full simulator visualization. - **NXT Light Sensor Overhaul (`nxt-light-sensor`)**: Rewritten with proper DCM hardware-level pin control. You can now toggle the sensor’s red LED on/off directly from code to switch between Reflected Light and Ambient Light modes, with accurate LED rendering in the simulator. ### **📁 2. Built-in File Manager v2.0** Managing onboard programs directly on the EV3 brick is now much easier: - **Complete Rewrite** : Rewritten with clean modular code for greater reliability. - **Multi-format Support & Folder Filtering** : Delete `.rbf` binaries, logs, and temp files cleanly, with options for self-removal when done (for competitions). - **Updated Documentation** : Fresh step-by-step guides and PDF documentation for classroom troubleshooting. ### **⚙ 3. Critical Motor & Display Fixes** - **Motors Stop on Program Interruption (Issue #57)**: Fixed the infamous bug where motors would continue running indefinitely if the user interrupted or stopped a program using the EV3 physical Back button. Now, exit signals properly issue brake commands to all ports! - **Motor Instances in Variables & Shadow Blocks** : Added support for storing motor instances in variables and introduced `allMotorsPicker` shadow blocks for consistent universal motor control. Now you can specify a motor in a variable and substitute the variable into a block with motors, so you won’t have to change everything in the blocks with motors if you change the port. - **Inverted Text Rendering Fix** : Fixed a low-level rendering bug on physical EV3 LCD displays where white-on-black text didn’t draw properly. - **Block UI Spacing** : Fixed `blockGap` layout issues on screen text and value blocks. ### 📶 4. One-Click Wireless Deploy: Auto-Stop, Auto-Run & Custom Folders over Bluetooth / WebSerial Previously, downloading a new program over Bluetooth was tedious: if a program was already running on the brick, the editor would fail with an error asking the user to manually walk up to the robot, press the EV3 buttons to stop it, and try again. All projects were also forced into a single default system folder. In **v1.6.0** , the wireless deployment pipeline has been completely reimagined: - **Automatic App Termination (`auto-stop`)**: When you hit **Download** , the editor automatically checks if a MakeCode app is currently running on the EV3 brick (`isPxtAppRunningAsync`) and cleanly stops it (`wrapper.stopAsync()`). No manual button presses required! - **Seamless Flash & Auto-Run** : The editor removes the old binary, flashes the updated program, and **automatically starts the new program immediately** (`wrapper.runAsync()`). It gives you a true modern “one-click” workflow just like on micro:bit or Arcade. - **Custom On-Brick Project Folders (`uploadProjectFolder`)**: You can now specify a custom destination folder on the EV3 brick directly in Project Settings (`pxt.json`). Instead of dumping everything into the default `BrkProg_SAVE`, teams and students can organize different routines, autonomous missions, or robot builds into separate folders. - **Friendly Pairing & Error Dialogs** : Redesigned modals guide you through WebSerial connection, port selection, and RFCOMM troubleshooting without getting stuck in infinite retries or broken states. ### **🧱 5. MakeCode / PXT Core Upgrades & UI Polish** - **Upgraded to `pxt-core` 13.2.13 and `pxt-common-packages` 14.2.1**. - Upgraded underlying Blockly components (improved dropdowns, workspace search). - Enhanced block color contrast for function parameters. ### **🛠 6. Other Improvements & Bug Fixes** - **Simulator Enhancements** : - Added realistic RGB lighting to the Color Sensor simulator view. - Refreshed SVG artwork with realistic drop shadows for NXT sensors. - **Editor & Block Fixes** : - Fixed sound effect category picker issue in Google Chrome. - Polished toolbox search bar borders, radius styling, and gallery card layout. - **Hardware & OS Integration** : - Safer discovery handling for third-party I2C devices. - Fixed project name display in the USB / File Transfer download modal. - More… ### **🌐 Try It Out** - **Stable Web Editor** : [https://brickcode.org/](https://brickcode.org/) - **Beta Web Editor** : [https://beta.brickcode.org/](https://beta.brickcode.org/) Feel free to share your thoughts, projects, or feedback below. 🤖🧱