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Relay AI Assistant

Relay is the AI assistant built into Rungs Studio. It explains PLC code, debugs Ladder Logic, and walks you through compiler errors while you work in the online PLC simulator.

Unlike a general chatbot, Relay can use the project context already open in Studio:

  • The Ladder Logic rungs or Structured Text in your active editor
  • Tag names, data types, usage, default values, and descriptions
  • Compiler errors and warnings
  • Your test file and the latest test results
  • Which editor tab you currently have open

That means you can ask about the PLC program in front of you instead of copying screenshots or rewriting your code into another tool.

What Relay Helps With​

Relay is useful when you know something is wrong but do not know the vocabulary yet, or when you want to check a rung you just wrote before moving on.

The most common ask is simple: "is this correct?" Relay reads your rungs and tags, points out what looks off, and suggests the next single change — not a rewrite. For example, if you have two rungs both driving the same output Yellow and Studio reports LD-SEM-016 Duplicate destructive bit reference, Relay can explain that the lower rung wins during scan order and how to combine the logic onto one rung.

Relay can also help with:

  • Missing tags
  • XIC, XIO, and OTE behavior
  • Timer and counter setup
  • Latches and unlatches
  • One-shot logic
  • Scan order
  • Tag data types
  • Unit test failures
  • Choosing between valid Ladder Logic designs

Good Questions To Ask​

The most useful prompts are short and literal. Some examples:

  • Is this correct?
  • What is wrong with my logic?
  • Does this make sense?
  • How do I start this exercise?
  • Walk me through this step by step.
  • What does this compiler error mean?
  • How do I change the preset on a timer?
  • What data type should I use here?
  • Explain this like I am new to PLC programming.
  • Make it easier to understand — I do not know half these terms.

Short follow-ups like "ok, what's next?", "how about now?", or "is it good now?" also work — Relay keeps the previous turn in mind.

Relay replies in the language you write in (English, Spanish, and others). PLC instruction names like XIC, OTE, and TON stay the same because those mnemonics are part of the programming language.

When To Use Relay​

Use Relay when you want to understand why the PLC simulator behaves a certain way, or when you want a second pair of eyes on the rungs you just wrote.

Use the editor, simulator, status panel, and tests to find the exact problem. Then ask Relay to explain the result and suggest the next change. Relay teaches one step at a time — if you ask "is this correct?" it will point at the smallest thing to fix, not rewrite the whole routine.

Relay is a learning tool. It can help you reason about PLC Ladder Logic, but you should still run the simulator and tests to verify your program.

What Relay Will Not Do​

Relay stays inside the PLC programming side of Studio. It will not:

  • Write Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, or other microcontroller code.
  • Pick relay pinouts, contactor wiring, resistor values, or other physical hardware components.
  • Apply changes for you — only you can edit tags, rungs, ST, or tests.
  • Hand back a complete solution to an exercise. It will lead you to the next step instead.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can AI generate PLC ladder logic?​

Relay does not generate complete ladder logic routines for you. By design, it teaches one step at a time so you build the program yourself in the Ladder Logic editor and verify it with the simulator. Ask Relay how to set up a rung — for example, "how do I make a seal-in circuit?" — and it will explain the instructions and tag wiring without handing back a finished routine.

Can Relay explain a PLC compiler error?​

Yes. Studio passes the compiler errors from your active routine to Relay, so you can ask "what does this error mean?" and get a plain-language explanation grounded in the exact line and tag the compiler flagged. Explaining errors is one of the most common ways students use Relay.

Can AI debug my ladder logic?​

Relay can review your rungs, point at what looks off, and suggest the next single change. It will not rewrite the whole routine. The intended flow is: ask "is this correct?", apply the fix Relay suggests, run the simulator or tests, then ask Relay about the next step.

Does Relay work like ChatGPT for PLC code?​

Relay is purpose-built for Rungs Studio. Unlike a general chatbot, it already sees your tags, your Ladder Logic or Structured Text, your compiler errors, and your latest test results — you do not have to paste screenshots or rewrite your code into another tool. Relay also stays inside the PLC programming domain. It will not produce Arduino, ESP32, or microcontroller code.

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