How to Get Started in Roblox Studio — Complete Beginner's Guide

What is Roblox Studio?

Roblox Studio is the free development environment used to create all Roblox experiences. Whether you want to build a simple obby, a complex RPG, or anything in between, Roblox Studio gives you all the tools you need. In 2026, Studio has become more powerful than ever, with improved physics, lighting, and scripting capabilities.

Installing Roblox Studio

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Visit create.roblox.com and sign in with your Roblox account
2. Download Roblox Studio for your operating system (Windows or Mac)
3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions
4. Launch Roblox Studio and sign in

The download is about 500MB and the installation takes just a few minutes on most computers.

Understanding the Interface

When you first open Roblox Studio, you'll see several key panels:

• Explorer Panel — Shows the hierarchy of all objects in your game (parts, scripts, UI elements)
• Properties Panel — Displays and lets you edit the properties of the selected object
• Toolbox — A library of free models, plugins, and assets you can use
• Output/Command Bar — Shows debug messages and lets you run quick Lua commands
• 3D Viewport — The main view where you build and preview your game

Don't worry if it looks overwhelming at first. Most developers only use a handful of panels regularly.

Creating Your First Place

Let's build a simple obby (obstacle course) as your first project:

Step 1: Choose a Template

When you open Studio, select the "Baseplate" template. This gives you a flat ground to build on.

Step 2: Add Parts

Click the "Part" button in the Home tab to add a block to your world. You can resize it using the Scale tool, move it with the Move tool, and rotate it with the Rotate tool.

Step 3: Color and Material

Select a part and use the Properties panel to change its Color, Material, and other visual properties. Experiment with different materials like Neon, Glass, and Wood to create interesting visual effects.

Step 4: Create Obstacles

Arrange parts at different heights and distances to create jumping challenges. You can anchor parts (so they don't fall) by checking the "Anchored" property.

Step 5: Add a Spawn Point

Insert a SpawnLocation from the Object menu. This is where players will appear when they join your game.

Introduction to Lua Scripting

Lua is the programming language used in Roblox. Even basic scripting knowledge can dramatically improve your games. Check out our script library for ready-to-use examples.

Your First Script

Let's make a part that kills players on touch:

local part = script.Parent

part.Touched:Connect(function(hit)
    local character = hit.Parent
    local humanoid = character:FindFirstChild("Humanoid")
    if humanoid then
        humanoid.Health = 0
    end
end)

To add this script: right-click the part in Explorer, select "Insert Object" → "Script", and paste the code above.

Making a Point Counter

local Players = game:GetService("Players")

Players.PlayerAdded:Connect(function(player)
    local leaderstats = Instance.new("Folder")
    leaderstats.Name = "leaderstats"
    leaderstats.Parent = player

    local points = Instance.new("IntValue")
    points.Name = "Points"
    points.Value = 0
    points.Parent = leaderstats
end)

This creates a leaderboard that tracks points for each player. You can then increment points when players complete obstacles or achieve goals.

Publishing Your Game

1. Click File → Publish to Roblox
2. Fill in your game's name, description, and genre
3. Set the appropriate age rating and player limits
4. Click "Create" and your game goes live!

Your game will appear on your profile, and anyone on Roblox can search for it and play.

Essential Tips for New Developers

• Start small — Don't try to build the next Adopt Me! right away. Start with a simple obby or showcase
• Learn from others — Study how popular games work. Visit games in the top rankings and think about what makes them fun
• Use free models wisely — The Toolbox has millions of free assets, but always check scripts inside them for safety
• Test regularly — Use the Play button frequently to test your game. Playtest with friends to get feedback
• Join the community — The Roblox Developer Forum and Discord servers are great places to learn and get help

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore these topics:

• Terrain Editor — Create natural landscapes with mountains, rivers, and caves
• UI Design — Build custom menus, HUDs, and interfaces
• Animations — Create custom character animations and cutscenes
• Data Stores — Save player progress between sessions
• Game Passes — Monetize your game with purchasable perks

Check out our Lua Scripting 101 guide to dive deeper into coding your Roblox experiences.