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Features
Use this page to find a workflow and check where it is available.
Version scope: core features below are present in v1.5.0 and the development code checked on 6 October 2026. Development identifies the newer official plugin catalogue workflow. Server configuration can limit account and public features.
| Feature | What you can do | Web | Windows Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live GLSL editor | Edit source with snippets and compiler diagnostics while the last valid preview keeps running. | Yes | Yes |
| Multipass projects | Compose an Image pass, shared Common code, up to four Buffer passes, and include files. | Yes | Yes |
| Generated controls | Turn a JSON schema into sliders, checkboxes, color pickers, and selects bound to uniforms. | Yes | Yes |
| Texture inputs | Assign image assets and configure channel sampling. | Yes | Yes |
| Pointer interaction | Read mouse position, velocity, and click-ripple data from a shader. | Yes | Yes |
| Presets | Name and restore parameter values, optionally including render settings. | Yes | Yes |
| Effects rack | Add, order, toggle, duplicate, and tune post-processing effects; author custom GLSL effects. | Yes | Yes |
| Render controls | Pause time, change render scale, and inspect rendering performance. | Yes | Yes |
Start with: First shader and Workspace.
Built-in post effects include Bloom and Vignette. Custom effects process the output of the Image pass; the rack does not apply to intermediate Buffer passes. The resulting appearance depends on the effect order.
| Feature | What you can do | Web | Windows Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal library | Save, rename, duplicate, and organize your shaders. | Account library | Local library |
| Portable JSON | Import or export a shader or a collection, including its project and assets. | Yes | Yes |
| PNG capture | Save the current rendered frame. | Yes | Yes |
| Animation capture | Export WebM video or a PNG frame sequence with capture settings. | Yes | Yes |
| Zen mode and panels | Hide interface elements and adjust your workspace layout. | Yes | Yes |
| Separate output window | Show a clean live render on a second monitor or projector. | — | Yes |
| Offline editing | Open and edit the local library without signing in. | — | Yes |
| Account uploads | Upload local shaders to a configured account server. | — | Configured builds |
Desktop uploads do not provide a complete two-way mirror of the Web library. Use JSON export/import when you need to move a project between installations.
| Feature | Web | Windows Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Private account library | Yes; editing requires a verified email. | Local library remains separate. |
| Public Explore and public shader pages | Available when the server enables public Explore. | Use the Web app. |
| Publish, update, and unpublish a shader snapshot | Available on an enabled server, subject to account and moderation rules. | Use the Web app. |
| Copy a public shader into your library | Requires a verified account on that server. | Transfer a project using JSON. |
Public publishing is an explicit action. Saving a private draft does not automatically update its published snapshot. Follow the publication actions to update what visitors see. Publication behavior and server configuration.
| Feature | v1.5.0 | Development |
|---|---|---|
| Shadertoy import | Built-in import command. | Install and enable the official importer plugin. |
| Wallpaper Engine export | Built-in standalone HTML export. | Install and enable the official exporter plugin. |
| Local plugin packages | Install a compatible package from a file. | Local packages plus the bundled official catalogue. |
| Official theme and language packages | The newer default-package catalogue is not included. | Default Light/Dark themes and English/French language packages. |
| MCP | Requires explicit setup and an enabled local bridge. | Requires explicit setup and an enabled local bridge. |
Read Plugins and integrations for the user workflows and compatibility limits.
- The library uses saved thumbnails; it does not render every shader at once.
- Shadertoy inputs such as video, webcam, microphone, sound, and cubemaps do not become equivalent Shadergrove inputs.
- Wallpaper Engine export does not reproduce the effects rack.
- The official catalogue is bundled with the app; a hosted marketplace and automatic plugin updates are not provided.
- Windows installers are published; this guide does not promise macOS or Linux packages.
Releases lists downloadable builds. Planned work belongs in Issues, separately from this feature catalogue.
Home · First shader · FAQ · Releases
Checked against v1.5.0 and development commit f4ad6d8 on 6 October 2026. Development-only workflows are marked on their pages.