How to Get Started with HaxeFlixel

Start by opening haxeflixel.com and using the Getting Started entry in the site navigation. That page is the official onboarding path for the engine. From there, you install the Haxe toolchain and HaxeFlixel, create a project, and run it. The site also links to the engine source on GitHub, 79 browsable demos, plus Docs, API, and Snippets sections for learning. HaxeFlixel is described as a free, open-source 2D game engine that lets you build cross-platform games from one codebase.

What you need before you begin

• A working Haxe installation (the engine is built on Haxe, OpenFL, and Lime, as shown on the homepage).
• The HaxeFlixel library itself, obtained through the standard Haxe package workflow.
• A target platform toolchain for whatever you want to build for. The homepage states games cross-compile natively to multiple platforms, so each target needs its own SDK or compiler installed.
• A code editor or IDE of your choice.

The homepage does not list specific version numbers or install commands, so treat the Getting Started page and the Docs section as the authoritative source for current setup steps.

Step-by-step: from zero to a running project

1. Open the Getting Started page. Go to haxeflixel.com and click Getting Started. This is the entry point the site itself provides.
2. Install Haxe and the engine. Follow the instructions on that page. Because HaxeFlixel is distributed as an open-source Haxe library, installation goes through Haxe's package manager rather than a standalone installer.
3. Create a new project. The Getting Started flow walks you through generating a project skeleton. Expect a standard structure with a source folder and a project configuration file.
4. Run it. Build and launch the default project on your desktop target first. This verifies your toolchain before you attempt other platforms.
5. Verify the result. You should see the default HaxeFlixel project window open and render. If it does, your environment is working.

If the first build fails

• Missing target SDK. Cross-compiling to a platform requires that platform's toolchain. Install it before building for that target.
• Haxe library path issues. Confirm the engine library resolved correctly through Haxe's package system.
• Follow the Docs, not guesswork. The site's Docs section covers configuration details that the homepage does not.

Learn by reading real code

The homepage highlights 79 demos you can browse. This is the fastest way to understand how the engine is actually used.

• Demos — complete, runnable examples. Read these to see project structure and common patterns.
• Snippets — smaller pieces of code for specific tasks.
• API — reference documentation for engine classes and methods.
• Docs — guides and explanations.
• Showcase — games built with HaxeFlixel, useful for judging what the engine can handle.

A practical loop: pick a demo close to what you want to build, run it, then modify it until it breaks, then read the Docs or API to understand why.

Choosing HaxeFlixel: what it fits

HaxeFlixel is a reasonable choice if you want a free, open-source 2D engine, you are comfortable working in Haxe, and you need one codebase that targets several platforms. Look elsewhere if you need a 3D engine, or you want a visual editor–first workflow rather than a code-centric one.

Where to go next

• Getting Started — your first project.
• Docs — concepts and configuration.
• API — class and method reference.
• Demos — 79 runnable examples.
• Snippets — task-specific code.
• Showcase — shipped games for reference.
• GitHub — engine source and issue tracking.
• Discord / Forum — community help when you get stuck.