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Getting Started

What is PlayCanvas?​

PlayCanvas is a ✨ web graphics creation platform ✨

PlayCanvas is a collection of open-source products that you can use to build interactive, graphical web applications:

🦾 PlayCanvas Engine - Open source JavaScript run-time that powers all PlayCanvas applications
🛠️ PlayCanvas Editor - Real-time collaborative visual editing environment for building PlayCanvas applications
⚛️ PlayCanvas React - Open source React-based declarative interface that wraps the PlayCanvas Engine
🧩 PlayCanvas Web Components - Open source Web Components-based declarative interface that wraps the PlayCanvas Engine

Start a Code Project​

Use create-playcanvas to scaffold a Vite and TypeScript project for the Engine, React, or Web Components from one of 12 runnable starters. New projects include PlayCanvas Skills, which give compatible AI coding agents PlayCanvas-specific development and verification workflows.

Which Product is Right For You?​

Every developer is different, so picking the right entry point to PlayCanvas will depend on your background and skills. Let us help you choose:

🦾 PlayCanvas Engine - Full control development​

Best for: Experienced programmers, performance-critical applications, custom workflows
Choose if you: Want maximum control, have specific architectural needs, or are building complex systems

🛠️ PlayCanvas Editor - Visual-first development​

Best for: Beginners, teams, rapid prototyping, visual learners
Choose if you: Want drag-and-drop scene building, real-time collaboration, or prefer visual tools over code

⚛️ PlayCanvas React - React developers​

Best for: React developers, component-based thinkers, existing React projects
Choose if you: Already use React, want declarative 3D scenes, or need to integrate 3D into React apps

🧩 PlayCanvas Web Components - Standards-based development​

Best for: Vanilla JS developers, framework-agnostic projects, web standards enthusiasts
Choose if you: Prefer native web technologies, want framework independence, or like custom HTML elements

😕 Still Confused?​

Consult this simple questionnaire:

New to 3D development? → Start with the PlayCanvas Editor
React developer? → Use PlayCanvas React
Prefer vanilla HTML and JavaScript? → Try PlayCanvas Web Components
A coder that needs maximum control? → Go with the PlayCanvas Engine
Working in a team? → The PlayCanvas Editor offers the best collaboration
Coming from Unity or Unreal? → The PlayCanvas Editor provides a similar end-user experience
Integrating into existing app or site? → Choose React or Web Components based on your existing stack

And if you still have questions, come and chat to us on Discord.