Installing Arcadia Studio

Installing Arcadia Studio

Choose a download

Download	Use it when
ArcadiaStudio-<version>-Setup.exe	You want a normal Windows install with a Start-menu shortcut and .arcadia project files that open on double-click.
ArcadiaStudio-<version>-win-x64.zip	You want a portable copy you can run from any folder, with no installation.

Both contain the same editor. The editor bundles its own .NET runtime, so you don't need to install .NET.

Installer

1. Run ArcadiaStudio-<version>-Setup.exe. It installs for your Windows user only and doesn't need administrator rights.
2. Choose your options: Create a desktop shortcut (off by default) and Open Arcadia Studio projects (.arcadia, and older .wysicraftproj) with this app (on by default, so project files open in Arcadia Studio on double-click).
3. Launch Arcadia Studio from the Start menu.

To upgrade, run a newer installer over the old one. Uninstalling removes the application but keeps your projects, recovery drafts, workspace layout, keyboard shortcuts and downloaded Minecraft test files. Keep your projects outside the installation folder.

Portable ZIP

1. Extract the ZIP anywhere, for example C:\Tools\Arcadia Studio.
2. Run Designer\ArcadiaStudio.exe.
3. Keep the folders together: Designer, Runtime, TestEnvironment and Docs. The Minecraft test uses TestEnvironment, and exports use the runtime in Runtime.

Optional: Java 21 for Minecraft testing

The editor itself doesn't need Java. The Minecraft test launches a real Minecraft instance, which needs Java 21. Any Java 21 distribution works (for example Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, Eclipse Temurin or JetBrains Runtime). Arcadia Studio checks the Java version itself, so a wrong JAVA_HOME doesn't matter; you can also pick the folder in the test window.

First launch

• The window opens with an empty project called Untitled and a screen called main.
• Panels are arranged in the default layout. You can move them; see The workspace.
• If Arcadia Studio closed unexpectedly last time, the Output panel tells you a recovery draft is available. See Projects and screens.

Updates

Arcadia Studio checks for a newer version when it starts (at most once a day) and asks before doing anything:

• Update now downloads the new version from the Arcadia Studio releases on GitHub and checks it against its published checksum; a file that doesn't match is deleted and nothing is installed. Arcadia Studio then asks you to save any unsaved work, closes, updates, and opens again.
  • An installed copy updates with the release's installer (quietly, into the same place).
  • A portable copy updates from the release's ZIP: the new version replaces the app's own folders (Designer, Runtime, Docs) and leaves anything else you keep in that folder alone.
• Later asks again next time. Skip this version doesn't mention that version again, only newer ones.

Your projects and settings aren't touched by an update: projects are wherever you saved them, and settings are in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Arcadia Studio.

Help → Check for updates… checks straight away. Help → Check for updates automatically turns the startup check off. The check only asks GitHub for the latest release, sending nothing but Arcadia Studio's version; offline, nothing is shown.

Next: Quick start tutorial.