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Getting Started

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laqieer edited this page Jul 6, 2026 · 6 revisions

Getting Started

Download

Download the latest release from GitHub Releases.

Windows

Download the .zip package, extract it, and run FEBuilderGBA.exe.

Cross-Platform (Linux / macOS)

Download the CLI or Avalonia package for your platform:

  • cli-linux-x64 / cli-osx-arm64 / cli-win-x64
  • avalonia-linux-x64 / avalonia-osx-arm64 / avalonia-win-x64

Android (experimental)

There is an experimental native Android build of the Avalonia GUI. Download the APK (FEBuilderGBA-android-apk.zip) from Releases, unzip, and install the .apk (allow "install from unknown sources"). See Native Android for details and how to build it yourself.

iOS / iPadOS (experimental)

There is an experimental native iOS build of the Avalonia GUI. The released .ipa (FEBuilderGBA-ios-unsigned-ipa.zip) is unsigned, so it is not directly installable — re-sign it with your own Apple ID via AltStore, Sideloadly, or Apple Configurator. See Native iOS for details and how to build it yourself.

Web browser (WebAssembly) — no install

Just open https://laqieer.github.io/FEBuilderGBA/ in any modern browser — no download or install. Experimental preview: the app + game data download on first load (may take a while). See Native Web for details.

Patch Database (first run)

A fresh download ships with an empty patch database (config/patch2/) — the ~44,000 patches you install from the Patch Manager are fetched over git on first use. If the Patch Manager shows "the patch database has not been downloaded yet", see Patch Database (patch2) Setup & Updates for the one‑time setup (in‑app or manual).

Opening a ROM

  1. Launch FEBuilderGBA
  2. Go to File > Open ROM...
  3. Select a .gba ROM file (FE6, FE7, or FE8)
  4. The application auto-detects the game version from the ROM header

Command Line

# Open a specific ROM
FEBuilderGBA.exe --rom path/to/rom.gba

# Re-open the last ROM
FEBuilderGBA.exe --lastrom

# Force a specific version
FEBuilderGBA.exe --rom rom.gba --force-version=FE8U

First Steps

Once a ROM is loaded, you'll see the main editor list. Common starting points:

  • Unit Editor — Edit character stats, classes, portraits, and growth rates
  • Class Editor — Modify class properties, promotions, and movement costs
  • Item Editor — Change weapon stats, effects, and descriptions
  • Map Editor — Edit chapter maps, tilesets, and terrain
  • Text Editor — Modify in-game dialogue and text strings
  • Event Editor — Script chapter events, cutscenes, and triggers
  • Patch Manager — Install community patches and ASM hacks

Saving Your Work

  • File > Save — Save changes to the ROM file
  • File > Save As... — Save to a new file
  • Ctrl+Z — Undo recent changes (multi-level undo supported)

Creating a Patch

To share your hack without distributing the full ROM:

  1. Go to Tools or use the CLI: FEBuilderGBA.CLI --makeups=patch.ups --rom=rom.gba
  2. This creates a .ups patch file
  3. Others can apply the patch to a clean ROM

Tips

  • Always keep a backup of your clean ROM
  • Use Tools > ROM Rebuild if your ROM becomes fragmented after many edits
  • The Lint tool (Tools > Lint Check) helps find common errors in your hack
  • Enable Easy Mode (toolbar toggle) for a simplified interface if you're new

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