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Getting Started

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laqieer edited this page Jun 28, 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. It is opt-in (not in a standard release package yet) — see Native Android for how to build the APK.

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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