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Lectra has a code editor for programming assignments and other projects. A project is a folder of files. You can edit files with syntax highlighting, search across the whole project, jump to functions, keep a terminal open under your code, and track changes with Git.

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Create a project

You can start an empty project or copy one from GitHub.
1

Go to Projects

In your library, tap Projects.
2

Create a folder

Tap New, and then tap Folder.
3

Name it

In Create Project Folder, type a name, and then tap Create.
To open a project, tap it in the Projects tab. To delete one, tap Select in the Projects tab, select the project, and then tap Delete.

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Work with files

When a project opens, its files are listed in Files on the left. To show or hide the list, tap the sidebar button at the top left, or press ⌘ B.
  • Open a file: tap it in Files. It opens in a tab.
  • Create a file: tap New File (+) in Files, or press ⌘ N. Type a path such as src/main.py, and then tap Create. Lectra creates any folders in the path.
  • Refresh the list: tap Refresh Files, for example after you create files in the terminal.
To rename, move, or delete files and folders, use the terminal commands mv, rm, and mkdir. To learn more, see Use the terminal.

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Edit code

Lectra saves as you type. The top bar shows Saving… and then Saved. You can also press ⌘ S. The editor highlights these languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX and TSX, HTML, XML, SVG, CSS, SCSS, Less, JSON, Markdown, Rust, C, C++, Objective-C, Go, Swift, YAML, TOML, shell scripts, and Dockerfiles.

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Tabs and split view

  • To switch tabs, tap a tab, or press ⌘ Shift ] and ⌘ Shift [.
  • To close a tab, press and hold it and tap Close Tab, or press ⌘ W.
  • To see two files side by side, press and hold a tab and tap Open to the Side, or press ⌘ \. This option isn’t available on narrow screens.

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Find your way around

Project search ignores case, skips hidden folders and very large files, and shows up to 800 results.

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Command palette commands

The command palette (⌘ Shift P) lists these commands:
  • New File
  • Show Terminal or Hide Terminal
  • Show Sidebar or Hide Sidebar
  • Sync with GitHub
  • Refresh Files
  • Search in Files
  • Source Control
  • Go to Symbol
  • Go to Line
  • Save
  • Close Tab
  • Open to the Side or Close Split

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Run code and commands

Each project has a terminal that opens in the project’s folder. Tap the terminal button in the top bar, or press ⌘ `. Drag the handle above the terminal to resize it. There’s no Run button in the editor. To run a Python file, type python followed by the file name in the terminal, such as python main.py. To learn more, see Run Python and Use the terminal. Jupyter notebooks (.ipynb files) in a project open in the notebook editor when you tap them. To learn more, see Use Jupyter notebooks.

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Track changes with Git

The top bar has buttons for version control:
  • Start Version Control (+): appears when the project isn’t tracked yet. Tap it to start keeping a history of changes.
  • Source Control (Control Shift G): see changed files, stage them, and commit.
  • Sync to GitHub: appears in projects that use Git. Commits all your changes and syncs them with GitHub in one step.
To learn more, see Use Git.

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Keyboard shortcuts

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Limits

  • The file list can create files but not rename, move, or delete them. Use the terminal for those.
  • You can’t import a folder from the Files app as a project. Create a project, or clone one from GitHub.
  • Binary files, such as images, don’t open in the editor.
  • Code completion offers only basic suggestions, such as words already in the file.

Use Git

Clone, commit, and push from your iPad.

Use the terminal

Run commands next to your code.