Abstract: A system and method for programming a robot includes providing a 3D representation of workpieces to be handled by the robot, and of a working environment; synthesizing and displaying a view of the working environment comprising an image of the workpieces at respective initial positions; identifying matching features of the selected workpiece and of the working environment which are able to cooperate to hold the workpiece in a final position in the working environment, and a skill by which the matching features can be brought to cooperate; identifying an intermediate position from where applying the skill to the workpiece moves the workpiece to the final position; and adding to a motion program for the robot a routine for moving the workpiece from its initial position to the intermediate position and for applying the skill to the workpiece at the intermediate position.