Keyboard Shortcuts
Space
Play/pause the simulation (hold to pan)
S
Step forward one generation
Ctrl+Z
Undo/step back one generation
R
Fill with random pattern
Middle Click
Pan the canvas (or hold Space)
Scroll
Zoom in/out on the canvas
Rule Sets
Conway's Life (B3/S23)
The classic cellular automaton. Cells are born with 3 neighbors and survive with 2 or 3. Most patterns work with this rule.
HighLife (B36/S23)
Like Conway's but cells also born with 6 neighbors. Famous for the Replicator pattern that copies itself!
Seeds (B2/S)
Explosive rule where cells are born with 2 neighbors but never survive. Creates expanding patterns.
Day & Night (B3678/S34678)
Symmetric rule where dead and alive cells behave similarly. Supports complex spaceships.
Pattern Tips
Guns
Patterns that shoot moving spaceships (gliders) periodically
Ships
Moving patterns that travel across the grid. Gliders move diagonally.
Osc
Oscillators that cycle through states periodically without moving
Meth
Methuselahs - small patterns that evolve for many generations before stabilizing