Create a project

There are two ways to start a new project.

• From the header. Choose Code now at the top of any page. Search for a language, or pick one from the list, and it opens straight away.
• From inside the editor. Choose New in the left sidebar. This opens the full dialog, where you set everything before you start.

Both give you a project. The header is quicker, and the dialog gives you more choices.

Start with

Pick the language. You can search by name, or scroll the list.

The search covers IDE, compiler and terminal entries, so typing part of a name finds it whichever form you want.

Favourites

If you use the same few languages every time, keep them at the top of the list instead of searching for them.

1. Find the language in the list.
2. Hover over it. A star appears on the right of its row.
3. Press the star.

The language moves into the Favourites group at the top. Press the star again to remove it.

You can keep up to four. If you already have four and want a different one, remove one first.

Your favourites appear in both places you pick a language: this dialog, and the Code now menu in the header. They belong to your account, so they are the same on any machine you sign in on.

Version

Choose which version of the language to use. It starts on the newest.

On the free plan you get the latest version of each language. Paid plans can choose any version.

Project type

• Single file. One file and a Run button. Enough for most short programs.
• Multi-file. A file tree, so your project can hold several files and folders.

Not every language offers multi-file. When it does not, only single file is available.

How would you like to start

Three ways to fill the new project:

• Example code. A small working program in your language. Run it before changing anything to see that everything works.
• AI agent. Describe what you want in a prompt, and it writes the first version for you.
• Empty project. An empty file, for when you already know what you are writing.

Project name

A name is generated for you, such as "Unbounded-Thread-Skiff", so you never have to stop and think of one. You can type your own, clear it, or press the refresh button for another suggestion.

Projects are saved automatically, so the name is how you find this one again later. A name that describes the work is worth the few seconds.

Starting

Start coding creates the project and opens it.

Open my project takes you to your existing projects instead, which is what you want when you meant to continue something rather than start something new.

What next

Once your project is open, the next thing most programs need is input.

Open and manage your projects covers finding them again.