itch.io

Just to let people know, this project is still very much in progress.

I am planning to release a beta version in a couple of weeks which includes Windows and Mac installers/executables, so that non-developers can download the app and start using it right away.

The 1.0 release is currently scheduled for mid-to-late January 2026 and which include a rich set of features that are already taking shape in the beta release.

Here is a short video demonstrating the features that are currently in the upcoming beta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87wSuV8RESg

** Previously posted in wrong topic. Apologies.

Hey gang. I've been tinkering with a Ren'Py visual editor/IDE and thought I'd put it out there to see what people think. The features (see below) are complete enough to get started writing a VN with, but I consider this an alpha/almost-beta release since I'm still working on some features. 

It is available here:

https://github.com/bluemoonfoundry/vangard-renpy-ide.git

Note that since this is alpha software it's not yet packaged up with an installer. There are instructions on what you need to do to "install" it, but it does require a bit of effort. As I get to Version 1.0 release, currently planned for end of the year, I will start packaging it to be installable like any other application without additional technical know-how.

My goal is to get as many features into V1.0 as possible. I am especially interested in how people approach their visual novel "workflow" and what features would be useful to accelerate those workflows and make the process efficient and more enjoyable. The tool is intended to be useful to beginners and pros alike. 

I really hope people find this useful! Feel free to add Feature or Bug issues in the GitHub! Would appreciate any comments or thoughts.

Excerpt from the README file.

Key Features

Visual Story Canvas:

• Drag, resize, and arrange blocks representing your .rpy files.
• Automatic Flow Visualization. Arrows are automatically drawn between blocks to show jump and call relationships.

On-Demand Route Canvas:

• Generate a detailed, label-by-label graph of your story's control flow to understand complex branching. This is an opt-in feature to maintain performance on large projects.
• Route Path Analysis & Highlighting. The Route Canvas automatically identifies all unique paths from start to finish. A floating panel allows you to highlight specific routes with distinct colors.

Integrated Code Editor: A full-featured Monaco editor (the engine behind VS Code) is built-in for editing your script files directly within the app. 

Comprehensive Project Management:

• A built-in file explorer allows you to create, rename, move, and delete files and folders in your project.
• Works directly with your local project folders for a seamless development experience (recommended).

Story Element Management:

• A dedicated panel to view, create, and manage Characters, Variables, Images, Audio, and Screens.
• Scan external directories for images and audio, and easily copy them into your project.

• Browser-Only Mode: Start creating and prototyping without needing a local project folder, then download your work as a .zip file.
• Expanded Theme Support: Personalize your workspace with multiple themes, including Light, Dark, Solarized, and Colorful variants.
• UI State Persistence: The editor remembers your theme, sidebar layout, and open tabs between sessions for a consistent workflow.
• Customizable Layout: Sidebars are resizable, allowing you to tailor the interface to your needs.

Very cool. Looks like we're both in the same boat, down to the hardware. I also have a few stories in the works and am also looking to expand my portfolio. 

Would like to know more about the story you're trying. Sent disco request (sidcarton1588).