Install and set up
What your computer needs, and how Ryuo checks and installs it.
Local Unreal on Windows
| Needed | Version |
|---|---|
| Windows | 64-bit (x64) |
| Unreal Engine | 5.8, with Templates and Feature Packs |
| C++ build tools | Visual Studio 17.14 or newer with MSVC 14.38+, a Windows SDK 10.0.22621+ and the .NET Framework SDK |
| Blender (optional) | 5.1 or 5.2, for modeling and game-ready meshes |
Unreal and the build tools need plenty of disk space. Keep your projects outside OneDrive: OneDrive slows Unreal down and blocks some project changes.
Local Unreal on Mac
Local Unreal requires an Apple Silicon Mac, macOS 14.5 or newer, Unreal Engine 5.8, and Xcode with the Metal compiler. Use Xcode 26.1.1; Xcode 26.4 is incompatible with Unreal 5.8. Open Xcode once to finish installation and accept its license, then select it under Xcode → Settings → Locations → Command Line Tools. Ryuo checks these requirements under computer setup.
For local C++ changes on Mac, Ryuo saves your assets, closes Unreal, rebuilds and reopens it automatically. This takes longer than Windows Live Coding. When using a Windows cloud editor from a Mac, Live Coding still runs on the cloud machine.
Use the Ryuo dragon icon in the Dock to return to the studio. Unreal stays in its own window.
Using cloud Unreal
Choose New project → Unreal Engine → In the cloud to create project files without installing Unreal or C++ build tools on your computer. After creation, ask the agent to start a cloud editor. Creating files does not start a paid session; cloud compute requires an eligible account and is billed while running. Stop the session through the agent to save and sync its changes back.
First-run setup
Your app version appears beside Ryuo AI in the top-left title bar. Include it when reporting an issue.
When you open Ryuo, onboarding lets you customize your workspace, choose a theme and sign in or skip. Check tools and engines on Home or in New project checks local requirements. You can also open setup from Settings → Advanced. Set up my computer works through missing items:
- Unreal Engine opens the Epic Games Launcher. Install 5.8 with Templates and Feature Packs. After installation, launch Unreal once and finish its first-run setup, then return to Ryuo. You do not need to create a project in Unreal first.
- C++ build tools on Windows installs the required Visual Studio 2022 build tools for you, or adds missing components to a compatible existing installation. Approve the Windows prompt; Microsoft shows installation progress and Ryuo checks the result. You do not have to select workloads or install the full Visual Studio editor. On Mac, setup opens Apple's Xcode downloads.
- Blender opens Blender's download page. You can skip it and add it later.
Microsoft's license terms apply when you choose to install its build tools. Keep Ryuo open during installation. Ryuo does not restart your computer; if Microsoft requires a restart, Ryuo tells you. If installation is cancelled or fails, setup shows the error and lets you retry.
Sign in
Click Sign in or create an account. Ryuo opens ryuo.ai in your browser and shows a short code; approve that code on the website and the app signs in. Your plan, credits and usage are on your account page.
New verified accounts receive 2,000 beta credits while the beta offer is open. No card or paid subscription is required.