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Getting Started

Requirements

  • Python 3.14 or newer
  • uv for dependency management
  • A terminal with mouse support and truecolor rendering for the best experience

Installation

git clone https://github.com/umbsublime/pixpop.git
cd pixpop
uv sync

Running

uv run pixpop

Or, once installed as a package:

pixpop

Your first canvas

When Pixpop starts you get a single tab containing a blank canvas, with the pen tool selected and a default palette loaded.

Pixpop main window

The screen is organized into a few regions:

Region What it does
Tabs (top) One tab per open canvas. Switch, rename, add, or close canvases here.
Canvas (center) The drawing surface. Paint with the mouse.
Tool picker (side) Select the active drawing tool.
Brush / spray pickers (side) Adjust brush size or spray density for tools that support it.
Color picker (side) Choose the pen color from the active palette.
Layer picker (side) Manage layers for the active canvas.

A five-minute tour

  1. Paint something. Left-click and drag on the canvas with the default pen.
  2. Change color. Click a swatch in the color picker.
  3. Try a shape. Select the Line tool, then click-drag-release on the canvas — you get a live preview while dragging.
  4. Add a layer. Press /. Paint on the new layer; the layer below stays untouched.
  5. Undo a mistake. Press Ctrl+Z as many times as you like; Ctrl+Y redoes.
  6. Save your work. Press Ctrl+S and pick the .pix format to keep the full session (tabs, layers, undo history), or Ctrl+E to export a .png or .ans image.
  7. Get help. Press ? at any time to see every keybinding.

Tip

Hover almost any button in the side panels to see a tooltip explaining what it does.

Next steps