> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.summerengine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I start a fresh project?

> Start from scratch and build your first AI-powered game in 5 minutes

## Welcome to Summer Engine

Summer Engine is The AI Game Engine. We make game development as fun as playing games. No coding experience? No problem. Just tell Summer Engine what you want to build.

## Step 1: Download Summer Engine

Getting Summer Engine on your computer is super easy.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="download" title="Get Summer Engine for free">
    **For Mac users:**

    * Visit [summerengine.com](https://summerengine.com) and click "Download for Mac"
    * Drag Summer Engine to your Applications folder
    * Double-click to open (Mac might ask for permission - that's normal!)

    **For Windows users:**

    * Visit [summerengine.com](https://summerengine.com) and click "Download for Windows"
    * Run the installer (Windows might ask for permission - click "Yes")
    * Summer Engine will be ready to go!

    <Tip>Summer Engine is completely free to download and try. No credit card required!</Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="user" title="Create your account">
    1. **Open Summer Engine** → You'll see a clean, friendly interface
    2. **Click "Sign in"** → This opens your web browser
    3. **Create account** → Use Google, GitHub, or email - whatever you prefer
    4. **Back to Summer Engine** → The app will automatically log you in

    <Tip>We use your browser for security - Summer Engine never sees your password!</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Step 2: Build Your First Game

This is where the magic happens. Let's create something awesome!

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="plus" title="Start a new game">
    1. **Click "New Project"** → Give it a fun name like "My Amazing Game"
    2. **Choose a location** → Anywhere on your computer is fine
    3. **Click "Create & Open"** → Summer Engine opens with a chat window on the right
    4. **Watch Summer Engine think** → It's learning about your new project (takes a few seconds)

    <Tip>The chat window is where you'll talk to Summer Engine. Think of it as your creative partner!</Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="message-square" title="Have your first conversation">
    Ready to see Summer Engine in action? Try typing these:

    **"Create a player character that I can move around"**

    * Summer Engine creates a character for you
    * Adds movement controls (arrow keys or WASD)
    * You can immediately test it by pressing the play button!

    **"Add some platforms to jump on"**

    * Summer Engine creates platforms in your game world
    * Sets up physics so your character can land on them

    **"Make the camera follow my player"**

    * Summer Engine adds a smooth camera that tracks your character
    * Now your game feels professional!

    <Tip>Don't worry about being precise - Summer Engine understands natural language. Just describe what you want!</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Understanding the Interface

Summer Engine combines a familiar game editor with AI superpowers.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="layout" title="Chat panel (right side)">
    * **Multiple chat tabs** → Different conversations for different features
    * **Change review** → See exactly what AI wants to change before applying
    * **Sources** → AI shows which files it's reading from your project
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="git-branch" title="Built-in Git integration">
    * **Stage by hunk** → Review changes line by line
    * **AI commit messages** → Generated from your changes
    * **Conflict resolution** → AI helps resolve merge conflicts
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="play" title="Test gate (optional)">
    * **Play button gated** → Runs tests before allowing play (can disable)
    * **Headless testing** → AI runs tests in background
    * **Auto-rollback** → If something breaks, AI can revert changes
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Browse 150+ Game Templates" icon="layout-template" href="https://summerengine.com/templates">
    Start from a template instead of blank: shooter, RPG, platformer, horror, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Operations" icon="brain" href="/ai-tools/operations">
    Learn what Summer Engine can do in your project
  </Card>

  <Card title="Asset Generation" icon="palette" href="/art-system/ai-generation">
    Create 2D art, 3D models, and audio with AI
  </Card>

  <Card title="Publishing Overview" icon="upload" href="/publishing/overview">
    Export your game to PC, Mac, mobile, or web
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Need help or have questions? Reach out to our founders at [founders@summerengine.com](mailto:founders@summerengine.com) or join our community on [Discord](https://discord.gg/yUpgtxnZky) for fast responses.