# Getting started — build your first game
A start-to-finish walkthrough: project setup, dependencies, and a complete playable ZX-flavoured game built with zx-kit. New here? Do this first, then dip into the [module reference](api.md), [rendering](rendering.md), and [audio](audio.md) guides.
This tutorial walks you through building a working game from scratch: a character you can move around the screen with arrow keys, animated walking frames, and a sound effect on every step.
No prior game development experience needed. You need basic JavaScript/TypeScript knowledge (variables, functions, arrays).
---
### What you will need
| Tool | Where to get it | Why |
|------|----------------|-----|
| **Node.js 22+** | [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) | Runs npm — the package manager we use to install zx-kit |
| **A code editor** | [code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com) (free) | Edits your source files |
| **A terminal** | Built into macOS/Linux; use PowerShell on Windows | Runs commands |
---
### Step 1 — Create the project
Open a terminal and run:
```bash
mkdir my-first-game
cd my-first-game
npm init -y
```
`npm init -y` creates a `package.json` file — the project's identity card. The `-y` flag accepts all defaults so you don't have to answer questions.
---
### Step 2 — Install dependencies
```bash
npm install zx-kit
npm install --save-dev vite
```
- **zx-kit** — the game engine you are building with
- **vite** — a development server that reloads the browser whenever you save a file (installed as a dev tool, not part of your shipped game)
---
### Step 3 — Configure package.json
Open `package.json` and replace it with the following. The two key additions are `"type": "module"` (enables modern JavaScript imports) and the `scripts` section (adds the `npm run dev` command):
```json
{
"name": "my-first-game",
"version": "1.0.0",
"type": "module",
"scripts": {
"dev": "vite",
"build": "vite build"
},
"dependencies": {
"zx-kit": "^0.31.1"
},
"devDependencies": {
"vite": "^6.0.0"
}
}
```
---
### Step 4 — Create index.html
Create a file called `index.html` in your project root:
```html
My First Game
```
The `