Getting started with this flamework roblox framework setup guide is probably the best move you can make if you're looking to scale your Roblox project without losing your mind to spaghetti code. If you've spent any amount of time in Roblox Studio, you know that managing dozens of scripts across different folders can quickly turn into a nightmare. Flamework changes the game by bringing the power of TypeScript and modern software engineering practices—like dependency injection and decorators—directly into the Roblox ecosystem.
It's not just a library; it's a way of thinking about your game's architecture. Instead of wondering which script runs first or how to share data between the client and server effectively, Flamework provides a structured, predictable environment. Let's dive into how you can get this up and running.
Why Even Use Flamework?
Before we start clicking buttons, let's talk about why you're here. Standard Luau is great, but as your game grows, it gets harder to manage. Flamework is built on top of roblox-ts, which means you get to write TypeScript. You get autocomplete that actually works, type safety that catches bugs before you even open Studio, and a "Singleton" pattern that makes managing game states a breeze.
If you've ever used frameworks like Angular or NestJS in web development, Flamework will feel like coming home. If you haven't, don't worry—it's basically just a way to make sure your code stays organized and talks to itself nicely.
Getting Your Tools Ready
You can't just open a script in Roblox Studio and start typing Flamework code. We need to set up a proper development environment on your computer.
Installing Node.js
First things first, you need Node.js. This is what runs the compiler that turns your TypeScript code into Luau that Roblox can understand. Head over to the official Node.js website and grab the LTS (Long Term Support) version. It's the safest bet for stability.
Choosing an Editor
While you could technically use anything, just use Visual Studio Code (VS Code). It has the best extensions for TypeScript and Roblox development. Once you have it installed, grab the Roblox LSP and vscode-rojo extensions. They'll make your life a lot easier.
Rojo is Non-Negotiable
Flamework relies on Rojo. Rojo is a tool that syncs your external code files into Roblox Studio. It's the bridge between your fancy VS Code setup and the actual game engine. Make sure you have the Rojo CLI installed or use the VS Code extension to manage it.
The Setup Process
Now for the meat of this flamework roblox framework setup guide. We're going to use the command line, but don't let that scare you. It's just a few simple commands.
Initializing the Project
Open your terminal (or the integrated terminal in VS Code) and navigate to the folder where you want your project to live. You're going to run the following command:
npx setup-roblox-ts
This utility will walk you through creating a basic roblox-ts project. Choose a name, select your preferences, and let it do its thing. Once that's finished, navigate into your new project folder.
Adding Flamework
Now we need to add Flamework specifically. In your terminal, type:
npm install @flamework/core @flamework/networking
And since Flamework uses some advanced TypeScript features, you'll also need to install the transformer:
npm install --save-dev rbxts-transformer-flamework
Configuring tsconfig.json
This is a step people often miss. You need to tell the TypeScript compiler to use the Flamework transformer. Open your tsconfig.json file and look for the compilerOptions. You'll need to add a plugins section that looks something like this:
json "plugins": [ { "transform": "@flamework/core/transformer" } ]
This tells the compiler, "Hey, when you see those Flamework decorators, do your magic."
Understanding the Project Structure
Once you've got everything installed, your folder structure might look a bit intimidating. Let's break down the important bits:
- src/: This is where all your code lives. Don't touch things outside of here unless you know what you're doing.
- src/client/: Code that runs on the player's machine.
- src/server/: Code that runs on the Roblox servers.
- src/shared/: This is the secret sauce. Anything here can be accessed by both the client and the server. Perfect for definitions, constants, and shared logic.
Writing Your First Singleton
In Flamework, we don't really use "Scripts" in the traditional sense. We use Singletons. These are classes that are instantiated once and persist throughout the game's lifecycle.
To create a service on the server, you'd create a file in src/server/services and use the @Service decorator.
```typescript import { Service, OnStart } from "@flamework/core";
@Service({}) export class MyFirstService implements OnStart { onStart() { print("Flamework is officially running on the server!"); } } ```
The onStart method is automatically called by Flamework when the game starts. You don't have to manually call it or require it from another script. It just works.
Components: The Power of Flamework
One of the coolest things about this framework is the Component system. In standard Roblox, if you want a bunch of parts to behave a certain way (like spinning or killing a player on touch), you might put a script inside every single part. That's a performance and maintenance nightmare.
With Flamework, you can create a Component. You tag an object in Roblox Studio (using a tool like TagSprocket or just the Properties window), and Flamework will automatically "attach" your TypeScript class to any object with that tag.
If you have a tag called "KillPart," you can write a single class that handles the logic for every single "KillPart" in the game. It's incredibly efficient.
Communication with Networking
Talking between the client and server is usually a bit of a chore with RemoteEvents. Flamework simplifies this with its Networking package. You define your events in the shared folder, and then you can call them from your services or controllers with full type safety. No more guessing if you passed the right arguments to a RemoteEvent.
Compiling and Running
When you're ready to see your work in action, go back to your terminal and run:
rbxtsc -w
The -w stands for "watch." This means every time you save a file in VS Code, it will automatically compile into Luau.
Then, open Roblox Studio, open the Rojo plugin, and hit "Connect." Your code will sync over, and you can hit Play. If you see your print statements in the output, congratulations! You've successfully navigated the setup.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with a flamework roblox framework setup guide, things can go sideways. Here are a couple of things to watch out for:
- Forgetting the Transformer: If you get errors about decorators not being supported, double-check your
tsconfig.json. The transformer is what makes the whole thing possible. - Rojo Sync Issues: Sometimes Rojo gets grumpy. If your code isn't showing up in Studio, try restarting the Rojo server or checking if your
default.project.jsonis correctly pointing to yoursrcfolder. - Circular Dependencies: Because Flamework makes it so easy to inject services into each other, it's easy to accidentally create a loop (Service A needs Service B, which needs Service A). Keep your logic flow as linear as possible.
Final Thoughts
Setting up Flamework might feel like a lot of heavy lifting compared to just right-clicking and hitting "Insert Script," but the payoff is massive. As your project grows from a simple hobby into a full-scale game, you'll be incredibly thankful for the structure and safety this framework provides.
It takes a bit of time to get used to the TypeScript workflow and the way Flamework handles the game lifecycle, but once it clicks, you'll find it hard to go back to vanilla Luau. Take it slow, experiment with one service at a time, and soon you'll be building complex systems with ease. Happy coding!