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LiveCodes
What LiveCodes is
LiveCodes is a free, open-source code playground that runs in a browser for prototyping with more than 90 languages, frameworks, and processors. Its editor supports code completion, go-to-definition, multi-cursor editing, formatting, and Vim and Emacs bindings. On mobile, it uses the touch-friendly CodeMirror 6 editor. Users can add external scripts and stylesheets, search for npm libraries and Google Fonts, and import npm modules without npm installs. Development tools include a console, compiled-code viewer, and test runner. Projects can come from GitHub, GitLab, JS Bin, web page DOM, or ZIP files, and can be exported as HTML, JSON, ZIP, gists, CodePen projects, or JSFiddle projects. Playgrounds can be embedded and controlled through an SDK for JavaScript/TypeScript and several frameworks. Projects are private by default, and code remains on the user's computer unless they choose to share, export, broadcast, or sync it. Users can broadcast code or results and sync, back up, or restore data across devices. LiveCodes is available on the web, via API, and as a self-hosted option; it can run on a static file server or CDN. The free plan has no usage limits or ads and requires no account except for GitHub integration.
Who it suits
LiveCodes suits developers who want a browser-based place to prototype across many languages and frameworks. Its embedding SDK and self-hosting options may also fit teams integrating playgrounds into web pages or hosting the app themselves.
What it does well
- Supports more than 90 languages and frameworks
- Editor includes Vim and Emacs bindings
- Projects are private by default
- Includes console, compiled-code viewer, and test runner
- Free plan has no usage limits or ads
What to know first
- Private GitHub imports require login and permissions
- Deployment and sync require GitHub login and permissions
- Full-stack runtime is not available
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No usage limits · No ads · No account required except for GitHub integration | Free |
As livecodes.io lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
LiveCodes combines a broad browser playground with import, export, embedding, and self-hosting options. Its free plan and private-by-default projects make it a practical option for prototyping, with some GitHub-linked functions requiring login.
Facts from LiveCodes's own pages
- Collaboration and storage
- Users can broadcast code or results in real time and sync, back up, or restore their data across devices. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- static · livecodes.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Development tools
- The app includes a console, compiled-code viewer, and test runner. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Editor
- Its default editor offers code completion, go-to-definition, multi-cursor support, formatting, and Vim and Emacs bindings. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Embedding and SDK
- Playgrounds can be embedded in web pages and controlled through an SDK available for JavaScript/TypeScript, Preact, React, Solid, Svelte, Vue, and Web Components. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · livecodes.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Full-stack runtime
- No · livecodes.io, 22 Sept 2026
- GitHub requirements
- Anonymous use includes importing public GitHub content; importing private repositories, gist export, deployment, assets, and sync require GitHub login and permissions. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- Projects can be imported from sources including GitHub, GitLab, JS Bin, web page DOM, and ZIP files, and exported as HTML, JSON, ZIP, gists, CodePen projects, or JSFiddle projects. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Libraries
- Users can add external scripts and stylesheets, search for npm libraries and Google Fonts, and import npm modules without npm installs. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Maker
- LiveCodes is built and maintained by Hatem Hosny and contributors. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Mobile
- The responsive app uses the touch-friendly CodeMirror 6 editor on mobile devices. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Projects are private by default and code stays on the user's computer unless the user chooses to share, export, broadcast, or sync it. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Private projects
- Yes · livecodes.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- LiveCodes is an open-source, browser-based code playground for prototyping and experimenting with more than 90 languages, frameworks, and processors. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Security
- User code, result pages, and compilers run in sandboxed iframes with unique origins, and embedded playgrounds cannot access the embedding page's cookies or local storage. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The app can be hosted on any static file server or CDN, and its Docker setup can provide self-hosted versions of services such as short-URL sharing and broadcast. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Sharing controls
- link_access · livecodes.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- Feature requests and bug reports are accepted on the GitHub repository, and users can also contact the maintainers through the contact form. · livecodes.io, 10 Oct 2026
Where LiveCodes stands on Freedom251
- Code Playground Software#14 of 58
- Coding Playgrounds#37 of 138