Build games in the terminal
Keep the whole creation loop close to the command line instead of scattering tools across a heavy desktop stack.
Terminal-native fantasy RPG creation
Forge Retro JRPGs In the Terminal
Ichiloto is a 100% PHP game engine and authoring toolkit for building ASCII-powered 2D RPGs with a built-in TUI editor, ANSI color, dialogue, events, character progression, smart map scrolling, and both classic turn-based and active-time battle systems.
$ ichiloto edit
$ ichiloto play
- 100% PHP
- ASCII + ANSI Color
- TUI Editor
- Turn-Based + ATB
- Cross-Platform
Map assets, the live canvas, and the inspector all stay visible while you author.
The same engine that powers the editor also gives your project a crisp title flow and menu system.
Overworld traversal stays readable, retro, and full of personality even inside a terminal.
01 / Engine
Built for Terminal-Born Adventures
Ichiloto brings together the feel of classic 2D fantasy RPGs and the speed of terminal-native creation. Build worlds, author events, script encounters, and shape progression without heavy tooling or bloated workflows.
Scene transitions and interior layouts keep their structure and mood in the terminal.
Prompts like resting at an inn feel native to the adventure instead of bolted on.
Multiple save slots make playtesting, balancing, and real progression easy to manage.
Create content in a dedicated TUI editor
Maps, events, dialogue, and gameplay setup all live in a tactile authoring environment that feels game-like.
Play and test instantly from the CLI
Jump from editing to playtesting in seconds with a workflow built around quick iteration.
Design expressive retro worlds
ASCII scenes, ANSI color, and lightweight structures give your world personality without a bloated pipeline.
Stay close to systems and logic
Work directly with progression, encounters, events, and dialogue instead of abstracted visual builder sprawl.
A Terminal Editor for Worldbuilding
Ichiloto includes a dedicated TUI editor that makes RPG authoring feel structured, fast, and tactile. Work on maps, events, dialogue, and gameplay systems without ever leaving the console.
Move through project assets, the live map canvas, and the inspector without context-switching into separate tools.
Event editing lets you wire map transitions, spawn points, and interaction data straight from the canvas.
Actors, classes, items, enemies, and project data live in a structured database view made for RPG work.
Maps, event authoring, dialogue setup, NPC management, and battle configuration all live in one structured console workspace.
Choose Your Battle Rhythm
Ichiloto includes two battle systems out of the box, giving you flexibility in pacing and feel.
Classic Turn-Based
Deliberate, tactical, and menu-driven. Great for careful party play and traditional encounter pacing.
Active-Time Battle
Faster and more urgent, with a layout that keeps the pressure visible while actions come online.
The Systems That Make RPGs Feel Alive
From exploration to encounters, Ichiloto includes the core building blocks needed to create story-rich terminal RPGs.
Travel across overworld spaces with landmarks, terrain changes, and a strong sense of place.
Economy flows are already part of the engine, from browsing stock to comparing prices and quantities.
Inn prompts, NPC services, and modal choices slot neatly into the same game language as exploration.
Surface achievements, quest beats, rewards, and system messages with polished in-game notifications.
Smart camera scrolling
Cutscene and event triggers
Loot pickups
Encounter logic
Dialogue boxes
NPC interactions
Character progression
In-game notifications
ANSI-colored scenes and UI
Optional emoji support
Simple Commands. Fast Iteration.
Ichiloto keeps the loop focused: install the CLI, create a project, open the editor, and play-test immediately.
1
Install CLI
Install the Ichiloto CLI globally via Composer.
$ composer global require ichiloto/console
Makes the ichiloto command available in your terminal.
2
Create Project
Scaffold a new RPG project with a single command.
$ ichiloto new my-rpg
Start from a clean project shell.
3
Open Editor
Enter the TUI editor and start building your world.
$ cd my-rpg && ichiloto edit
Maps, events, dialogue, and setup live here.
4
Play & Test
Launch your game and iterate quickly from the CLI.
$ ichiloto play
Run the latest version immediately.
Begin Your Quest
Build nostalgic adventures, author them in a dedicated terminal editor, and bring your world to life with a workflow built around speed, simplicity, and retro creativity.
Join the Community