> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://edwn.gitbook.io/impulse/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://edwn.gitbook.io/impulse/readme.md).

# Getting started

## Download an IDE compatible with Luau/Lua

| Text editor                      | Link                                                    |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| :first\_place:Visual studio code | [code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/) |
| :second\_place:Sublime Text      | [sublimetext.com](https://www.sublimetext.com/)         |
| :third\_place:Notepad++          | [notepad-plus-plus.org](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/) |

## Creating your first script

1. **Launch Your IDE**\
   Start by opening your preferred integrated development environment (IDE). We recommend [Visual Studio Code (VS Code)](https://code.visualstudio.com/) for the best experience, but any editor that supports Lua will work.
2. **Navigate to the Lua script location** `Impulse -> Game -> Lua`\
   Locate and open the `main.lua` file. This is the main script file that the engine runs after the dependencies, core, libraries, and modules are loaded.
3. **Start Writing Your Script**\
   Begin writing your Lua script inside `main.lua`. If you're not sure where to start, you can try one of the [example scripts](/impulse/examples.md) provided in the documentation or sample projects—they’re a great way to learn how scripting works in Impulse.
4. **Save and Run**\
   Once your script is ready, save the file. Because of how Impulse is designed, you need to restart the application to see the changes in effect, **this may change sometime soon**.

{% hint style="info" %}
A [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) extension is currently in development that will allow you to run and manage your Impulse application directly from within VS Code—making testing and debugging much easier.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/SUITXmnKgzHuvc8xHSDe" %}
[Enviornment](/impulse/enviornment.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}