What it is
An interactive browser-based version of Conway's Game of Life, the cellular automaton where cells live, die, or are born according to simple rules. It runs full screen, lets you draw and place patterns, and supports sharing boards with a link.
Editor takes
“No progression or upgrades here, but the wrapping board means escaped gliders come back and re-shuffle the puzzle, so the long-term loop is whatever you decide to build.”
“Ideal for quick mobile sessions with no sign-up or download, and a share link rebuilds your board — just remember to copy it, since there's no auto-save.”
“Light and dark themes plus a trails toggle keep the grid clean, but with no sound to speak of, those 8px cells have to carry all the atmosphere.”
How to play
Click or drag on the board to draw live cells, then press Space to play or pause the simulation. Use keys 1-8 or the patterns menu to place preset patterns, press R to rotate, and Esc to put the pattern away. Paste RLE or plaintext patterns with Cmd/Ctrl+V, and use Cmd/Ctrl+Z to undo.
Tips
- Start with a Glider (1) and watch it move diagonally; the wrap-around edges will eventually send it back onto the board.
- Use the rewind button left of play to return to the board you had when you pressed play.
- Press R to rotate a pattern before placing it, and Esc to cancel placement.
- Adjust speed with + and -, and cell size with ] and [, to make fast-moving or large patterns easier to follow.
- Turn on trails to see the paths that moving patterns leave behind.
Questions
Is this Game of Life simulator free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, with no sign-up, no ads, and nothing to download. It works on phones too.
How do I put a glider or a glider gun on the board?
Press 1-8 or open the patterns menu, then click anywhere on the board. R turns the pattern and Esc puts it away. On a phone, pick a pattern and tap where it should go.
Can I undo?
Yes. Cmd+Z or Ctrl+Z undoes your last change, and Shift+Cmd+Z or Ctrl+Y redoes it. After you press play, the button to the left of play takes you back to the board you started with.
Can I load patterns from LifeWiki?
Yes. Copy a pattern in RLE or plaintext format and paste it on the page with Cmd+V or Ctrl+V.
How big is the board?
It fills your screen, and the edges wrap around, so a glider that flies off one side comes back around.
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