# Introduction
**Pixelsrc** is a GenAI-native pixel art format. It's text-based JSONL that you (or an AI) generate, then the `pxl` command converts to PNG, GIF, spritesheets, and more.
## Why Pixelsrc?
Traditional pixel art tools produce binary files that are difficult for AI to generate and humans to version control. Pixelsrc takes a different approach:
- **Pure text** - No binary data. Every sprite is human-readable JSONL
- **Semantic tokens** - Use names like `{skin}` and `{hair}` instead of hex coordinates
- **Streaming-friendly** - JSONL format means each line is self-contained
- **Lenient by default** - Small mistakes get corrected automatically
- **AI-first design** - Every feature is designed for reliable AI generation
## Quick Example
Here's a simple coin sprite in Pixelsrc format:
```json
{"type": "palette", "name": "coin", "colors": {"{_}": "#0000", "{gold}": "#FFD700", "{shine}": "#FFFACD"}}
{"type": "sprite", "name": "coin", "palette": "coin", "grid": [
"{_}{gold}{gold}{_}",
"{gold}{shine}{gold}{gold}",
"{gold}{gold}{gold}{gold}",
"{_}{gold}{gold}{_}"
]}
```
Render it with:
```bash
pxl render coin.pxl -o coin.png
```
## What You Can Do
With Pixelsrc, you can:
- **Create sprites** using semantic color tokens
- **Build animations** from frame sequences
- **Compose scenes** by layering sprites
- **Generate assets** with AI assistance
- **Export** to PNG, GIF, spritesheets, and game engine formats
- **Validate** your files for common mistakes
- **Format** for consistent, readable code
## Who Is This For?
Pixelsrc is designed for:
- **AI systems** (Claude, GPT, etc.) generating game assets
- **Indie developers** wanting quick prototyping
- **Pixel artists** wanting text-based version control
- **Roguelike developers** needing procedural assets
## Getting Started
Head to [Installation](getting-started/installation.md) to set up Pixelsrc, then try the [Quick Start](getting-started/quick-start.md) guide.
If you prefer learning by example, check out the [Persona Guides](personas/sketcher.md) for workflow examples tailored to your use case.