> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/openfrontio/OpenFrontIO/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick start guide

> Get started playing OpenFront in minutes

## Start playing in 3 steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Visit OpenFront.io">
    Navigate to [OpenFront.io](https://openfront.io/) in any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari).

    No downloads or installations required - the game runs entirely in your browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your account (optional)">
    While you can play as a guest, creating an account lets you:

    * Save your statistics and game history
    * Earn achievements and track progress
    * Customize your profile with flags and cosmetics
    * Access user profiles and replays

    Click the account creation button and follow the registration flow.

    <Note>
      Guest players can still enjoy the full gameplay experience, but progress won't be saved between sessions.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Join or create a game">
    Choose your game mode:

    * **Public lobbies**: Join ongoing games with other players
    * **Quick match**: Get matched into a game immediately
    * **Private lobby**: Create a custom game with specific settings

    Select a map from the available options (Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas, and more).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Your first game

### Basic controls

* **Click and drag**: Select and move units
* **Right-click**: Quick actions and attack commands
* **Attack hotkeys**: Use keyboard shortcuts for faster unit deployment
* **Boat hotkey**: Quickly build naval units
* **Radial menu**: Multi-level menu for building structures

### Early game strategy

<Steps>
  <Step title="Expand your territory">
    Click adjacent territories to expand your borders. Prioritize:

    * High-value land areas
    * Coastal regions for port access
    * Strategic chokepoints
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build your first city">
    Cities generate gold and serve as spawn points. Place them in:

    * Central locations for defense
    * Areas you want to protect
    * Regions with growth potential
  </Step>

  <Step title="Consider early alliances">
    Use the alliance system to form temporary truces:

    * Click on another player's territory
    * Propose an alliance for mutual defense
    * Coordinate against larger threats

    <Warning>
      Alliances can be broken at any time. Watch for betrayal alerts (red frame) if an ally turns on you.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Mid-game progression

**Resource management**

* Build ports on coastal territories to generate trade income
* Trade ships are capped at 150, but each port increases gold per trade
* Balance expansion speed with defensive structures

**Military strategy**

* Deploy warships to control sea routes
* Warships prioritize enemy transport ships over other warships
* Build SAM launchers to defend against nuclear attacks

**Structure upgrades**

* Cities, ports, SAMs, and silos can be upgraded for better performance
* Use the multi-level radial menu to access upgrade options
* Building discounts can only be used once per type

### Late game tactics

**Nuclear warfare**

* Build missile silos to launch long-range nukes
* MIRVs split into multiple warheads for area damage
* SAMs only target nukes threatening nearby areas
* AI-controlled SAMs avoid targeting nukes near their launchers

**Naval dominance**

* Warships reload instantly after destroying transport ships
* Control key waterways to block enemy expansion
* Boat build discounts scale with the number of units you own

**Experimental features** (private lobbies only)

* Build factories to spawn trains and create railroad networks
* Railroads can form loops for efficient transport
* Choose factory as your unit type to enable train mechanics

## Game modes explained

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Free-for-all" icon="users">
    Classic battle royale where every player competes independently. Form temporary alliances, but remember: there can only be one winner.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Duos, Trios, Quads" icon="user-group">
    Team-based modes where you're permanently allied with 1-3 other players. Coordinate strategies and share resources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Private lobbies" icon="lock">
    Create custom games with configurable settings:

    * Choose specific maps
    * Enable experimental features (trains, factories)
    * Set player limits and game rules
  </Card>

  <Card title="Single player" icon="robot">
    Practice against AI bots with optimized behavior. Perfect for learning game mechanics and testing strategies.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Tips for success

<Note>
  **Expand wisely**: Don't overextend early. Rapid expansion leaves you vulnerable to coordinated attacks.
</Note>

<Note>
  **Watch the leaderboard**: Track top players and identify threats. The reworked UI provides better visual clarity.
</Note>

<Note>
  **Use quick chat**: Communicate with allies using the quick chat system (QuickChat.json). Coordinate attacks and warn about betrayals.
</Note>

<Note>
  **Unique player colors**: The game uses unique color mixing to help distinguish between players, especially in games with many participants.
</Note>

## Common questions

**How do replays work?**
Finished games can be replayed through the game history. Unfinished games cannot be replayed.

**Can I change my flag/cosmetics?**
Yes, registered users can customize their profile with different flags and cosmetic options.

**What are flares used for?**
Flares are a signaling system to communicate positions or threats to allies.

**How do I report inappropriate usernames?**
The game includes username censoring and management. Report issues through the in-game reporting system.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="View the changelog" icon="list">
    Check out new features in version 24, including trains, upgradable structures, and team modes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Join the community" icon="discord" href="https://discord.gg/K9zernJB5z">
    Connect with other players and share strategies on Discord
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer documentation" icon="code" href="/installation">
    Interested in contributing? Set up a local development environment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Help translate" icon="language" href="https://discord.gg/3zZzacjWFr">
    Join the translation Discord and help localize OpenFront
  </Card>
</CardGroup>