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HELIX is in Early Access Preview. Some features and documentation may be non-functional or out of date.

Creating Your First World#

This guide walks you through the concept of Worlds and Servers in HELIX, and shows you step by step how to create, script, and publish your first World.

1. Worlds vs. Servers#

  • A World in HELIX is a bundle of packages (maps, props, vehicles, characters, scripts, etc.) combined with Lua scripts to form a 3D experience.
  • A Server is a running instance of a World that players can join.

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Types of Servers#

  • Local (Listen) Servers

    • Peer-to-peer hosted.
    • The host is both player and server, simulating physics and handling authority.
    • Free to use but non-persistent (when the host leaves or crashes, the server ends).

  • Dedicated Servers

    • Hosted separately (through Creator Hub).
    • Provide persistence and higher specs.
    • Required for long-term RP servers or large communities.

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2. Connecting to Servers#

  • Each World/Server has a LIX URL (e.g., makers-world.lix) you can enter directly.
  • You can also connect via IP address.
  • When joining a server, make sure the underlying World is downloaded locally.

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3. Creating Your First World#

  1. From the HELIX main menu, click Create World.

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  2. This launches you into an empty world with a default avatar.

  3. Press N to enter Build Mode.
    • Here you can place maps, props, vehicles, and other assets.
    • You can also add scripts for custom logic.

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4. Workspaces#

  • Every new World you create is backed by a workspace (a local folder on disk).
  • Workspaces store your scripts and configuration files.
  • By default, a workspace gets a random ID, but you can rename it for clarity (e.g., “DemoWorld1”).

For an in-depth, standalone tutorial on Workspaces, please see the Workspaces Tutorial.

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5. Editing Scripts#

  1. In Build Mode, click Edit Scripts.
  2. This opens your workspace folder.
  3. Inside you’ll find a package.json file:
    • Defines which Lua files to load.
    • Supports client, server, and shared scripts.
    • If you’re coming from FiveM, this structure will feel familiar.

Example: Adding a Script#

  1. Create a new Lua file in the scripts folder (e.g., main.lua).
  2. Open your workspace in a text editor (VS Code recommended).
  3. Add your logic (e.g., spawn an actor, attach a YouTube browser UI, etc.).
  4. Back in HELIX, click Hot Reload to load your updated scripts instantly.

💡 Tip: Remember to handle cleanup — e.g., despawn actors when players leave — to avoid duplication issues after multiple reloads.

6. Publishing a World#

  1. In Build Mode, click Publish.
  2. Give your World a name and assign it a unique .lix URL.
  3. Choose whether it’s Public (visible to everyone) or Private (invite-only).
  4. HELIX auto-generates a thumbnail for your World (you can replace it later).
  5. After publishing, your World will appear under Drafts (local unpublished versions) and Mine (published Worlds).
  6. Other players can now create servers from your published World.

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For a more in-depth standalone tutorial on world creation, please see the Creating & Publishing Worlds Tutorial.

For a more in-depth standalone tutoral on Build Mode, please see the Build Mode Tutorial.

7. Managing Permissions#

  • In Creator Hub, you can:
    • Make Worlds public or private.
    • Grant access to specific users.
    • Control permissions such as joinable, instanceable (who can spin up servers), or remixable.

8. Adding Dependencies from the Vault#

  • The Vault is HELIX’s central marketplace where you can find and get scripts and 3D assets (maps/ environments, interiors, vehicles, characters, props and packages) to create your Worlds.  There are hundreds of free assets created or licensed by HELIX for our creators.
  • You can also upload your own assets using the HELIX Creator Kit to share for free or sell for LIX (HELIX’s currency).
  • It is also a directory of packages stored on HELIX’s backend servers where you can upload and manage your own public or private packages that you will use to create Worlds".

  • To add assets to your World:

    1. Open the Vault in Build Mode.

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    2. Click Add to World on any package (maps, props, vehicles, etc.).

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    3. Assets become available in your Library and can also be referenced in Lua scripts.

9. Next Steps#

  • Creator Kit: To bring in custom assets (maps, props, textures), use the HELIX Creator Kit. See the HELIX Creator Kit Tutorial.
  • Remixing: You can build Worlds entirely from Vault assets without importing anything yourself.

✅ You’ve now created, scripted, and published your first HELIX World!