pyxel 2.8.1

A retro game engine for Python

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Pyxel (/ˈpɪksəl/) is a retro game engine for Python.

With simple specifications inspired by retro gaming consoles, such as displaying only 16 colors and supporting 4 sound channels, you can easily enjoy making pixel-art-style games.

The development of Pyxel is driven by user feedback. Please give Pyxel a star on GitHub!

Pyxel's specifications and APIs are inspired by PICO-8 and TIC-80.

Pyxel is open source under the MIT License and free to use. Let's start making retro games with Pyxel!

Specifications

• Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web
• Programming in Python
• Customizable screen size
• 16-color palette
• 3 256x256 image banks
• 8 256x256 tilemaps
• 4 channels with 64 definable sounds
• 8 music tracks composed of sounds
• Keyboard, mouse, and gamepad inputs
• Image and sound editing tools
• User-extensible colors, sound channels, and banks

Color Palette

How to Install

Windows / Mac / Linux

After installing Python 3 (version 3.8 or higher), run the following command:

pip install -U pyxel

Note: On Windows, make sure to check Add python.exe to PATH when installing Python to enable the pyxel command.

Web

The web version of Pyxel can be used without installation on PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other devices with a compatible browser.

The web-based development environment Pyxel Code Maker is ready to use simply by opening it in your browser.

For other usage, such as embedding Pyxel apps on your own site, please refer to this page.

VS Code

By adding the Pyxel extension to Visual Studio Code (VS Code), you can develop and run Pyxel apps without installing Python or Pyxel.

To add the Pyxel extension, search for "Pyxel" in the VS Code Extensions view and click the install button.

Basic Usage

Pyxel Command

Installing Pyxel adds the pyxel command. Specify a command name after pyxel to perform various operations.

Run it without arguments to see the list of available commands:

pyxel

Pyxel, a retro game engine for Python
usage:
    pyxel run PYTHON_SCRIPT_FILE(.py)
    pyxel watch WATCH_DIR PYTHON_SCRIPT_FILE(.py)
    pyxel play PYXEL_APP_FILE(.pyxapp)
    pyxel edit [PYXEL_RESOURCE_FILE(.pyxres)]
    pyxel package APP_DIR STARTUP_SCRIPT_FILE(.py)
    pyxel app2exe PYXEL_APP_FILE(.pyxapp)
    pyxel app2html PYXEL_APP_FILE(.pyxapp)
    pyxel copy_examples

Try Examples

The following command copies Pyxel examples to the current directory:

pyxel copy_examples

You can run examples locally with the following commands:

# Run example in examples directory
cd pyxel_examples
pyxel run 01_hello_pyxel.py

# Run app in examples/apps directory
cd apps
pyxel play 30sec_of_daylight.pyxapp

Examples can also be viewed and run in the browser from Pyxel Showcase.

Creating Applications

Create a Program

In your Python script, import Pyxel, set the window size with init, and start the application with run.

import pyxel

pyxel.init(160, 120)

def update():
    if pyxel.btnp(pyxel.KEY_Q):
        pyxel.quit()

def draw():
    pyxel.cls(0)
    pyxel.rect(10, 10, 20, 20, 11)

pyxel.run(update, draw)

The arguments of the run function are the update function, which processes frame updates, and the draw function, which handles screen drawing.

In an actual application, it is recommended to wrap Pyxel code in a class, as shown below:

import pyxel

class App:
    def __init__(self):
        pyxel.init(160, 120)
        self.x = 0
        pyxel.run(self.update, self.draw)

    def update(self):
        self.x = (self.x + 1) % pyxel.width

    def draw(self):
        pyxel.cls(0)
        pyxel.rect(self.x, 0, 8, 8, 9)

App()

For creating simple graphics without animation, you can use the show function to simplify your code.

import pyxel

pyxel.init(120, 120)
pyxel.cls(1)
pyxel.circb(60, 60, 40, 7)
pyxel.show()

Run a Program

A created script can be executed using the python command:

python PYTHON_SCRIPT_FILE

It can also be run with the pyxel run command:

pyxel run PYTHON_SCRIPT_FILE

Additionally, the pyxel watch command monitors changes in a specified directory and automatically re-runs the program when changes are detected:

pyxel watch WATCH_DIR PYTHON_SCRIPT_FILE

Stop directory monitoring by pressing Ctrl(Command)+C.

Special Key Controls

The following special key actions are available while a Pyxel application is running:

• Esc
  Quit the application
• Alt(Option)+R or A+B+X+Y+BACK on gamepad
  Reset the application
• Alt(Option)+1
  Save the screenshot to the desktop
• Alt(Option)+2
  Reset the recording start time of the screen capture video
• Alt(Option)+3
  Save a screen capture video to the desktop (up to 10 seconds)
• Alt(Option)+8 or A+B+X+Y+DL on gamepad
  Toggle screen scaling between maximum and integer
• Alt(Option)+9 or A+B+X+Y+DR on gamepad
  Switch between screen modes (Crisp/Smooth/Retro)
• Alt(Option)+0 or A+B+X+Y+DU on gamepad
  Toggle the performance monitor (FPS/update time/draw time)
• Alt(Option)+Enter or A+B+X+Y+DD on gamepad
  Toggle fullscreen
• Shift+Alt(Option)+1/2/3
  Save image bank 0, 1, or 2 to the desktop
• Shift+Alt(Option)+0
  Save the current color palette to the desktop

Creating Resources

Pyxel Editor

Pyxel Editor creates images and sounds used in a Pyxel application.

You can start Pyxel Editor with the following command:

pyxel edit PYXEL_RESOURCE_FILE

If the specified Pyxel resource file (.pyxres) exists, it will be loaded. If it does not exist, a new file with the specified name will be created. If the resource file is omitted, a new file named my_resource.pyxres will be created.

After starting Pyxel Editor, you can switch to another resource file by dragging and dropping it onto the editor.

The created resource file can be loaded using the load function.

Pyxel Editor has the following editing modes.

Image Editor

The mode for editing images in each image bank.

You can drag and drop an image file (PNG/GIF/JPEG) into the image editor to load the image into the currently selected image bank.

Tilemap Editor

The mode for editing tilemaps that arrange images from the image banks in a tile pattern.

Drag and drop a TMX file (Tiled Map File) onto the tilemap editor to load its layer 0 into the currently selected tilemap.

Sound Editor

The mode for editing sounds used for melodies and sound effects.

Music Editor

The mode for editing music tracks in which the sounds are arranged in order of playback.

Other Creation Methods

Pyxel images and tilemaps can also be created using the following methods:

• Create images or tilemaps from lists of strings with the Image.set or Tilemap.set functions
• Load palette-ready image files (PNG/GIF/JPEG) with the Image.load function

Pyxel sounds and music can also be created using the following method:

• Create them from strings with the Sound.set or Music.set functions

Refer to the API reference for the usage of these functions.

Distributing Applications

Pyxel supports a cross-platform distribution format called a Pyxel application file.

Create a Pyxel application file (.pyxapp) with the pyxel package command:

pyxel package APP_DIR STARTUP_SCRIPT_FILE

If you need to include resources or additional modules, place them in the application directory.

Metadata can be displayed at runtime by specifying it in the following format within the startup script. Fields other than title and author are optional.

# title: Pyxel Platformer
# author: Takashi Kitao
# desc: A Pyxel platformer example
# site: https://github.com/kitao/pyxel
# license: MIT
# version: 1.0

The created application file can be run using the pyxel play command:

pyxel play PYXEL_APP_FILE

A Pyxel application file can also be converted to an executable or an HTML file using the pyxel app2exe or pyxel app2html commands.

API Reference

A complete list of Pyxel APIs is available at Pyxel API Reference.

Pyxel also includes an "Advanced API" that requires specialized knowledge. You can view it by checking the "Advanced" checkbox on the reference page.

If you're confident in your skills, try using the Advanced API to create truly amazing works!

How to Contribute

Submitting Issues

Use the Issue Tracker to submit bug reports and feature or enhancement requests. Before submitting a new issue, make sure there are no similar open issues.

Functional Testing

Anyone who manually tests the code and reports bugs or suggestions for enhancements in the Issue Tracker is very welcome!

Submitting Pull Requests

Patches and fixes are accepted in the form of pull requests (PRs). Make sure that the issue the pull request addresses is open in the Issue Tracker.

Submitting a pull request implies that you agree to license your contribution under the MIT License.

Tools & Examples

• Showcase
• API Reference
• Web Launcher
• Code Maker
• MML Studio
• VS Code Extension
• MCP Server
• Claude Code Skill

Other Information

• FAQ
• User Examples
• Developer's X Account
• Discord Server (English)
• Discord Server (Japanese)

License

Pyxel is licensed under the MIT License. It can be reused in proprietary software, provided that all copies of the software or its substantial portions include a copy of the MIT License terms and a copyright notice.

Recruiting Sponsors

Pyxel is looking for sponsors on GitHub Sponsors. Please consider sponsoring Pyxel to support its continued maintenance and feature development. As a benefit, sponsors can consult directly with the Pyxel developer. For more details, please visit this page.