iCube Engineer Toolchain

Installing the iCube Engineer Toolchain

In order to develop real-time and non-real-time applications in C++ and C#, the iCube Engineer Toolchain is required.

The PLCnext CLI is a crucial component in that toolchain. This dedicated command line interface can be used to generate metadata, C++ header files, iCube Engineer libraries, and for the build process. The PLCnext CLI functions can be called using simple commands. An integrated help lists the commands and describes their functions.

Security Note: Automation developers need to secure their build system against unauthorized manipulation!

As part of the iCube Engineer Toolchain, Yaskawa offers an Eclipse® add-in and a Visual Studio® extension. They extend the respective IDE and its graphical user interface (GUI) to support the development process for PLCnext Technology.

Installation on Windows® computers

Installing the iCube Engineer Toolchain

Prerequisites

Using an integrated development environment (IDE) is optional for the most parts. But it is highly recommended to use one.

Microsoft® Visual Studio® extensions are provided for C++ and/or C# programming under Microsoft® Windows® 11.
- With the current PLCnext Technology Toolchain the minimum IDE release is Visual Studio® 2022 (minimum version 17.6.2) including the following workloads:
  - .Net™ desktop development
  - Desktop development with C++
  - Linux® development with C++
Eclipse® (available under Microsoft® Windows® and Linux®) for C++ programming is supported by an Eclipse® add-in.
- For the Eclipse® add-in of iCube Engineer Toolchain 2025.6 or newer, at minimum a Java® v11 is required.
- Each add-in release is tested with Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers package, release version 20##.03 or 20##.09, corresponding to the one just before our release date.
- If an error code 13 occurs when Java® is started, check if the correct Java® version is installed. The Java® Runtime Environment (JRE) is required for Eclipse®. If you want to use a 64-bit Eclipse® version, you have to install a 64-bit Java® version, too.

Installation

The extensions for Visual Studio® 2022 can be installed via the latest iCube Engineer Toolchain setup. This enables templates, profiles, debugging (C# only), and other functionalities to develop in C# and C++ for the Runtime System.

Run the installation file and follow the instructions the installation wizard shows.
In the Package Selection dialog box, mark or unmark optional tools:
- If both Visual Studio® releases are present on your computer, you can install extensions for both releases in the same run.
- The Eclipse® add-in will just be placed as a .zip file in your PLCnext CLI installation folder for optional use in a further installation step.
- For the purpose of Shared Native Libraries see C++ functions and function blocks.
- Setting the environment variable is recommended by Yaskawa to have the best experience working with the iCube Engineer Toolchain on the command line.
Click Next to finalize the PLCnext Technology Toolchain installation.
Optional: Start Visual Studio® and check the installed extensions. For details see Installing IDE plug-ins.
Optional: To install the Eclipse® add-in, proceed with Installing IDE plug-ins.
Optional: For C++ programming you also need to install an SDK, suitable for your Control device and its firmware release.

Updating the iCube Engineer Toolchain

Run the newer iCube Engineer Toolchain installer and follow the installation wizard as described above.
Preferably install to the exact same directory where the current iCube Engineer Toolchain is located.

Installation on Linux® computers

- xz-utils: Required for SDK installation.
- python3: Required for SDK installation.
- file: Required for SDK installation.
- build-essential: The package contains the major part of the toolchain required for C++ programming, e.g., make.
- libunwind8: This library is required by the EngineeringLibraryBuilder.
- sshpass: Is used by the debug script to query user name and password when logging in to the controller.

Installing the iCube Engineer Toolchain

To check if the packages were installed and to install them otherwise, enter the following command:
sudo apt-get install xz-utils python3 file build-essential libunwind8 sshpass
Run the PLCnCLI_Setup.sh file.
Read and accept the Software License Terms.
You will then receive a folder named plcncli to which the PLCnext CLI was unpacked.

Yaskawa recommends introducing the Executable file to simplify calling the file in the console.

For introducing the Executable file, enter the following command:
ln -s [Path_to_your_PLCnext_CLI_installation_folder]/plcncli /usr/local/bin/plcncli
For example: ln -s /home/plcncli/plcncli /usr/local/bin/plcncli

If you're working with the Eclipse® IDE, proceed with Installing the IDE plug-ins.