Crafting Games

Starting from js-dos v7, the API expects a js-dos bundle that already contains all configuration needed to start the DOS program. js-dos bundle is just a ZIP archive that contains the game itself and a js-dos configuration file (same as dosbox.conf file). For example, digger.jsdos contains:

.jsdos/dosbox.conf - dosbox configuration file (required)
.jsdos/jsdos.json  - additional configuration (optional)
DIGGER.COM         - game file

You can generate a js-dos bundle programmatically. But we recommend you use our Game Studio

Tutorials

We provide separate tutorials for DOS and Windows games. However, the choice between tutorials should be based not only on the operating system - if you're working with large DOS games, we recommend following the Windows tutorial to ensure the best gaming experience.

Advanced configuration

.jsdos/dosbox.conf

This file is a regular dosbox configuration. Some features may not be supported yet, but we are working on expanding compatibility.

.jsdos/jsdos.json

This file contains additional configuration that does not exist in the dosbox configuration file. For example, it's used to configure virtual controls. If you used game studio to create bundles then it will also contain all information from dosbox.conf. And it looks like:

{
  "layers": [
    {
      "grid": "honeycomb",
      "title": "Layer#0",
      "controls": [
        {
          "row": 0

This file can contain any custom configuration you need. You can access it with Command Interface. For example:

const ci = await Dos(/*element*/).run(/*bundle url*/);
const config = await ci.config();
console.log(config.layers);

This snippet will print information about gestures that config has. It's a very powerful feature, it can be used to add new optional features to js-dos.

Game Studio

Game Studio is a recommended tool for creating js-dos bundles.

js-dos bundles generated with a game studio always support the latest features that js-dos have. It generates configuration files for you.

Bundles generated by game studio are not licensed, you can use them however you want.

Open Game Studio v8

Open Game Studio v7

Last modified: 04 апреля 2025