Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

A Monogatari game is a web project, so you’ll use the same tools web developers use. There are just three, and you only set them up once.

1. A modern browser

You already have one. For development we recommend Chrome or Firefox — their developer tools (press F12) let you inspect your game and read error messages while you work. Your finished game will run in any modern browser.

2. A code editor

Any text editor works (even Notepad), but a real code editor makes everything easier with syntax highlighting, auto-completion and multi-file editing. If you don’t have a favourite yet, Visual Studio Code is free, popular and beginner-friendly.

3. Bun

Monogatari’s project template uses Bun — a fast JavaScript runtime — to run a local dev server with live reload and to build your game for release. Install it with a single command:

macOS / Linux

curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash

Windows (PowerShell)

powershell -c "irm bun.sh/install.ps1 | iex"

Then check it’s installed:

bun --version

If that prints a version number, you’re ready.

TIP

You can skip Bun and just open index.html directly in your browser — the game still runs. But the dev server gives you live reload (the page refreshes itself every time you save) and is needed to test features like asset preloading and offline support, so the one-time install is well worth it.

You’re ready

With a browser, an editor and Bun in place, continue to Step 2: Get Monogatari running.