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Getting Started

Get up and running with r0astr in under 5 minutes.

Choose Your Path

The fastest way to start. No installation needed.

  1. Open the app: Launch r0astr
  2. Click anywhere on the page to enable audio (browser requirement)
  3. You're ready! Continue to Your First Pattern below

For development or offline use.

Prerequisites: Node.js 18+ and npm

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/piatra-automation/r0astr.git
cd r0astr

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Start development server
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:5173 in your browser.

For the full experience with remote control.

Download for your platform

Your First Pattern

Let's make some noise.

Step 1: Find Card 1

You'll see four cards on screen. Each card is an independent instrument. Find Card 1 (or Panel 1).

Step 2: Enter a Pattern

Click in the text area and paste this drum pattern:

s("bd*4, ~ sd ~ sd, hh*8").gain(0.8)

What does this mean?

  • s("...") plays samples (sounds)
  • bd*4 = bass drum 4 times
  • ~ sd ~ sd = snare on beats 2 and 4 (~ is silence)
  • hh*8 = hi-hat 8 times
  • .gain(0.8) = volume at 80%

Step 3: Hit Play

Click the Play button on Card 1. You should hear a basic drum beat!

Congratulations!

You just wrote your first live coding pattern.

Add a Second Instrument

Now let's layer in some bass.

Step 1: Find Card 2

Leave Card 1 playing. Find Card 2.

Step 2: Enter a Bass Pattern

Paste this into Card 2:

note("c2 ~ c2 e2").s("sawtooth").lpf(400).gain(0.6)

What does this mean?

  • note("...") plays synth notes
  • c2, e2 = notes (C and E, octave 2)
  • .s("sawtooth") = sawtooth wave synth
  • .lpf(400) = low-pass filter at 400Hz
  • .gain(0.6) = volume at 60%

Step 3: Hit Play on Card 2

Click Play. The bass joins the drums – perfectly in sync!

Try More Patterns

Add these to Cards 3 and 4:

Card 3: Melody

n("0 2 3 5 3 2").scale("C4:minor").s("triangle").gain(0.5)

Card 4: Ambient Pad

n("0 3 7").scale("C3:minor").s("sawtooth").lpf(600).room(0.8).slow(4).gain(0.4)

Now you have a full arrangement with drums, bass, melody, and ambient texture!

What You've Learned

  • [x] Cards are independent instruments
  • [x] s() plays samples, note() plays synths
  • [x] All cards share the same clock (they stay in sync)
  • [x] Play/Pause controls each card independently

Next Steps

  • Pattern Syntax

    Learn mini notation and all the pattern functions.

    Pattern Guide

  • Concepts

    Understand cards, the master panel, and synchronization.

    Concepts

  • Pattern Library

    Ready-to-use patterns you can copy and paste.

    Pattern Library

  • Desktop App

    Download for offline use and remote control.

    Downloads