Online MethodSCRIPT Editor

Introduction

The Online MethodSCRIPT Editor is a browser-based code editor for writing MethodSCRIPT programs for PalmSens potentiostat devices. It features syntax highlighting, real-time validation, code formatting, and direct device communication via USB and Bluetooth LE.

The Online MethodSCRIPT Editor with a valid Cyclic Voltammetry script.

Toolbar Buttons

The toolbar with all buttons and status indicators.

Button	Description
Format	Formats the MethodScript code using the built-in formatter. Also available via `Ctrl`+`Shift`+`F` or `Ctrl`+`S`.
Clear	Clears all code from the editor, giving you a blank canvas to start from.
Share	Creates a shareable URL containing your script and copies it to the clipboard. Anyone opening this URL will see exactly the same script in their editor.
Help	Opens this help page with documentation about the editor buttons, syntax highlighting colors, squiggly line meanings, and keyboard shortcuts.
Connect with USB	Opens a USB connection to a PalmSens device. After connecting, the button turns darker (Connect with USB) and the status indicator shows a green dot.
Connect with Bluetooth	Opens a Bluetooth Low Energy connection to a PalmSens device. Works like the USB connection but for wireless Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Send to Device	Sends the current MethodScript to the connected device. This button is disabled (grayed out) until a device is connected. When the script is valid and a device is connected, the button turns gold-brown (Send to Device). Also available via `Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`.
Show Communication	Toggles the communication panel at the bottom of the screen. The panel shows all messages sent to and received from the device, including data packages, errors, and status updates.

Status Indicators

On the right side of the toolbar you will find two status indicators:

Connection status — Shows a colored dot and text indicating the device connection state: Disconnected (gray), Connecting (yellow, pulsing), Connected (green), or Error (red).
Validation status — Shows the result of the last validation. A green ✓ No errors, a green ✓ N warning(s), or a red ✗ N error(s). Warnings (e.g. deprecated commands) do not prevent sending a script.

Syntax Highlighting

The editor uses a dark theme with color-coded syntax highlighting to make your MethodScript code easy to read. Each type of language element has its own color:

Syntax highlighting showing different token types in color.

Color	Element	Example
Gold (bold)	Keywords & control flow	var, endloop, if, endif, on_finished:
Gold (bold)	Measurement loop commands	meas_loop_cv, meas_loop_ca, meas_loop_eis
Light yellow	Commands	set_pgstat_mode, set_e, cell_on, pck_start, pck_add, send_string
Teal	VarTypes (type identifiers)	aa, ab, ba, cr
Light blue	Variables & identifiers	p, c, data
Light green	Numbers (with SI prefixes)	500m, 10m, 500u, 100i, 3
Orange	Strings	"Done: {p}"
Green (italic)	Comments	# Cyclic Voltammetry measurement
Gray/white	Operators & delimiters	=, +, -, >, <
Warm yellow	String escape sequences	\n, \t

Squiggly Lines (Diagnostics)

The editor underlines problems in your code with colored wavy lines (squigglies). These appear automatically as you type. Hover over a squiggly line to see the error or warning message.

Code with errors shown as red squiggly underlines. The status bar shows the error count.

Squiggly	Severity	Description
invalid_command	Error	A red wavy underline indicates a critical error that will prevent the script from running. Examples: unknown commands, wrong parameter count, type mismatches. These must be fixed before sending to a device.
deprecated_cmd	Warning	A yellow wavy underline indicates a potential problem or deprecated usage. The script may still run, but the issue should be addressed.
suggestion	Information	A blue wavy underline indicates an informational suggestion. The code is valid but could be improved.
hint_item	Hint	A gray dotted underline indicates a subtle hint. These are the least severe and are purely optional improvements.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`F`	Format document
`Ctrl`+`S`	Format document (save gesture)
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`	Send script to connected device
`Ctrl`+`Space`	Trigger autocomplete suggestions

Editor Features

Autocomplete — The editor suggests commands, keywords, variables, and VarTypes as you type. Trigger manually with Ctrl+Space.
Hover information — Hover over a command or keyword to see its description and parameter documentation.
Signature help — When typing parameters, the editor shows which parameter you're on and what it expects.
Code folding — Fold measurement loops, if/endif blocks, and region markers (#region / #endregion).
Quick fixes — Click the lightbulb icon next to an underlined error to see and apply suggested fixes.
Script sharing — Use the Share button to create a URL that encodes your entire script. Anyone opening the URL will see the same code.
Line numbering — Line numbers start at 0 (the first line containing e is line 0), matching the MethodScript documentation and device error messages.