Skip to main content

​
What is the Loader?

The NanoForge Loader is the runtime layer that starts a NanoForge project. It is invoked by the NanoForge CLI when you run nf start, and handles both sides of a game simultaneously: the client side delivered to the browser and the server side running in Bun. The Loader is a monorepo of three packages, each with a distinct responsibility at runtime:
  • loader-client — the Bun HTTP server that serves the browser with the loader UI and the compiled game files.
  • loader-server — the Bun process that runs the compiled server game code in an isolated worker.
  • loader-website — the browser application that displays the loading screen, caches game files locally, and bootstraps the game.
The NanoForge CLI orchestrates all three; as a game developer you never interact with these packages directly.

​
Installation

The loader packages are dependencies of the CLI and do not need to be installed separately. If you want to invoke the loaders directly outside of the CLI:
Then run them with:

​
Packages

loader-client

Bun HTTP server that serves the loader website and the compiled client game files. Exposes the manifest, environment variables, and game assets. Supports HTTPS and hot-reload.

loader-website

Browser application bundled as static assets. Displays the loading screen, downloads and caches game files via the browser Origin Private File System, then bootstraps the game.

loader-server

Bun process that runs the server-side game code in an isolated worker process. Supports live-reload by restarting the worker on file changes.
see the changelog for the full release history.