name: wurst-beginner description: Getting started with WurstScript for Warcraft 3 map development including project structure, first map, and basic spell creation

WurstScript Beginner Guide

This guide helps you get started with WurstScript for Warcraft III map development.

Prerequisites

1. Install VSCode: https://code.visualstudio.com/
2. Install the Wurst extension from the marketplace
3. The extension auto-installs the compiler and CLI

Creating a New Project

1. Open VSCode command palette (F1)
2. Run >wurst: New Wurst Project
3. Select a folder for your project

Or use CLI:

grill generate my-wurst-project

Project Structure

my-project/
  _build/           # Generated content (don't edit)
  .vscode/          # VSCode settings
  imports/          # Files to import into map
  wurst/            # Your .wurst code files
  .gitignore
  ExampleMap.w3x    # Your terrain map
  wurst_run.args    # Run configuration
  wurst.build       # Project configuration
  wurst.dependencies # Generated dependency links

Hello World

Create wurst/Hello.wurst:

package Hello

init
    print("Hello World")

Run with F1 -> >runmap

Package Structure

Every .wurst file contains exactly one package:

package MyPackage

import SomeLibrary  // import other packages

// Global variables
let myGlobal = 42

// Functions
function myFunction()
    print("Hello")

// Init block runs on map start
init
    myFunction()

Using the Standard Library

The stdlib provides wrappers and utilities. Example:

package SpellExample

import ClosureTimers
import ClosureForGroups
import ClosureEvents

init
    EventListener.onPointCast(MY_SPELL_ID) (caster, targetPos) ->
        flashEffect("Abilities\\Spells\\Human\\ThunderClap\\ThunderClapCaster.mdl", targetPos)
        
        doAfter(0.5) ->
            forUnitsInRange(targetPos, 300) u ->
                if u.isEnemyOf(caster)
                    caster.damageTarget(u, 100)

Coding Conventions

Use Extension Functions

// Jass style (avoid)
local integer id = GetPlayerId(GetOwningPlayer(GetTriggerUnit()))

// Wurst style (preferred)
let id = GetTriggerUnit().getOwner().getId()

Use Cascade Operator

// Instead of
let u = createUnit(player, UNIT_ID, pos, angle)
SetUnitX(u, newX)
SetUnitY(u, newY)
u.addAbility(ABILITY_ID)

// Use cascade
createUnit(player, UNIT_ID, pos, angle)
    ..setX(newX)
    ..setY(newY)
    ..addAbility(ABILITY_ID)

Use Type Inference

// Explicit (verbose)
unit u = CreateUnit(...)

// Inferred (preferred)
let u = createUnit(...)
var health = u.getHP()

Vector Math

Wurst has built-in vector types:

import Vectors

let pos = vec2(100, 200)
let pos3d = vec3(100, 200, 50)

// Operations
let sum = pos + vec2(10, 10)
let scaled = pos * 2
let length = pos.length()
let normalized = pos.norm()
let angle = pos.angleTo(otherPos)

Creating Spells

Basic Spell Structure

package MySpell

import ClosureEvents
import DamageSystem

public constant MY_SPELL_ID = 'A000'

init
    EventListener.onCast(MY_SPELL_ID) caster ->
        let target = EventData.getSpellTargetUnit()
        caster.damageTarget(target, 100, ATTACK_TYPE_MAGIC)

Spell with Timer

package TimedSpell

import ClosureTimers
import ClosureEvents

init
    EventListener.onPointCast(SPELL_ID) (caster, pos) ->
        var ticks = 0
        doPeriodically(0.5) cb ->
            ticks++
            flashEffect(FX_PATH, pos)
            if ticks >= 10
                destroy cb

Object Editing in Code

Create WC3 objects without the World Editor:

package MyObjects

import AbilityObjEditing

@compiletime function createSpell()
    new AbilityDefinitionFireBolt('A001')
        ..setName("Super Bolt")
        ..setTooltipNormal(1, "Super Bolt")
        ..setTooltipNormalExtended(1, "Deals 100 damage")
        ..setDamage(1, 100)
        ..setCooldown(1, 10)
        ..setManaCost(1, 50)

Building and Running

Run Map (Testing)

• F1 -> >runmap
• Compiles and launches WC3 with your map

Build Map (Release)

• F1 -> >buildmap
• Creates compiled map in _build/ folder

Managing Dependencies

Add a library:

grill install https://github.com/some/library

Update dependencies:

grill install

Debugging Tips

1. Use print() for quick debugging
2. Use Log.info(), Log.warn(), Log.error() for structured logging
3. Check VSCode's Problems panel for compile errors
4. Use breakpoints in generated Jass (advanced)

Common Patterns

Event Handling

import ClosureEvents

init
    EventListener.add(EVENT_PLAYER_UNIT_DEATH) ->
        let dying = GetTriggerUnit()
        let killer = GetKillingUnit()
        // handle death

Periodic Actions

import ClosureTimers

init
    doPeriodically(1.0) cb ->
        // runs every second

    doAfter(5.0) ->
        // runs once after 5 seconds

Data Storage

import HashMap

let unitData = new HashMap<unit, MyData>()

function saveData(unit u, MyData data)
    unitData.put(u, data)

function getData(unit u) returns MyData
    return unitData.get(u)

Resources

• Full Manual: https://wurstlang.org/manual.html
• Standard Library: https://wurstlang.org/stdlib
• Discord Community: https://discord.gg/mSHZpWcadz
• GitHub: https://github.com/wurstscript/WurstScript