# Show HN: A Ruby IDE running on a microcontroller

> Source: <https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/area512>
> Published: 2026-08-22 13:18:22+00:00

I built AREA512, software that lets you write, compile, and run Ruby code entirely on the M5Stack Cardputer.

[https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/area512](https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/area512)

One part I put a lot of effort into is the on-device IDE.

It has a Vim-like editor with:

- Syntax highlighting - Auto-indentation - Code completion - Type checking

The code completion and type checking aren't implemented using a simple dictionary or predefined list of symbols.

Instead, they're powered by picoruby-ti, a type inference engine I developed separately with the goal of making it portable enough to run on PCs, microcontrollers, and web browsers:

[https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/picoruby-ti](https://github.com/engneer-hamachan/picoruby-ti)

I haven't seen many IDEs this feature-rich running entirely on a microcontroller.

One of my goals with this project is to preserve some of the spirit of 1980s home computer culture — when the computer you used was also the computer you programmed.

I'd love to hear your feedback, especially if you have ideas for features that would be fun or interesting to add.

Thanks for reading!

Comments URL: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49399476](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49399476)

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