title: "Aesthetic Computer '26: A Mobile-First Runtime for Creative Computing" tags:

• JavaScript
• creative coding
• social computing
• browser runtime
• generative art authors:
• name: @jeffrey orcid: 0009-0007-4460-4913 affiliation: 1 affiliations:
• name: Independent Researcher index: 1 ror: null date: 4 March 2026 bibliography: paper.bib header-includes:
• |

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Summary #

Aesthetic Computer (AC) is a mobile-first runtime and social network for creative computing that runs entirely in the browser. Its primary interface is a text prompt through which users navigate a namespace of 354 built-in interactive programs ("pieces") and 265 user-published works. Each piece is a single JavaScript (.mjs) or KidLisp (.lisp) file exporting lifecycle functions that receive an immediate-mode graphics API. The platform integrates social infrastructure---user handles, real-time chat, mood posts, live profiles---directly into the runtime. A pack system bundles pieces into standalone HTML files for offline distribution.

Statement of need #

Creative coding platforms like Processing [@reas2007processing], p5.js [@mccarthy2015p5js], and Scratch [@resnick2009scratch] have transformed how people learn and practice computational expression. However, they share common limitations: they assume desktop use, require managing project structures or IDEs, and treat social features as external services (separate websites, forums, or galleries).

AC addresses three gaps: (1) mobile-first creative coding---the prompt interface and touch-first input make creative computing accessible on phones and tablets; (2) integrated social infrastructure---handles, chat, moods, and profiles are part of the runtime, not a surrounding website; (3) instant publishing---a single publish command makes a piece available at a URL under the author's @handle.

The platform's interface is designed to function like a musical instrument: users discover memorizable paths through the namespace of commands and pieces, building fluency through play and improvisation rather than menu navigation.

Architecture #

The core runtime comprises four modules totaling approximately 63,000 lines:

• Boot (boot.mjs, 1,948 lines) --- Parallel initialization of WebSocket module streaming, Service Worker caching, and IndexedDB storage.
• BIOS (bios.mjs, 20,935 lines) --- Runtime orchestrator managing the 60fps loop, input routing (keyboard, touch, gamepad, MIDI), piece lifecycle transitions, and WebGL compositing.
• Disk (disk.mjs, 15,879 lines) --- The complete API surface for pieces: graphics primitives, audio, input, UI components, networking, and storage.
• KidLisp (kidlisp.mjs, 15,161 lines) --- Tree-walking evaluator for the embedded Lisp dialect [@scudder2026kidlisp].

Piece model #

Each piece exports up to five lifecycle functions:

\begin{lstlisting}
function boot({ wipe, screen, params }) {
  // Runs once when piece loads
}

function paint({ wipe, ink, circle, screen }) {
  wipe(|\textcolor{jsstr}{"navy"}|)
  ink(|\textcolor{jsstr}{"pink"}|)
  circle(screen.width / |\textcolor{jsnum}{2}|, screen.height / |\textcolor{jsnum}{2}|, |\textcolor{jsnum}{50}|)
}

function act({ event: e }) {
  if (e.is(|\textcolor{jsstr}{"keyboard:down:space"}|)) { }
}

export { boot, paint, act };
\end{lstlisting}

Publishing and distribution #

The publish command uploads a piece under the user's @handle. The source command forks any piece as a template. The pack command bundles a piece into a self-contained HTML file for offline distribution, blockchain minting, or archival. Custom domains (e.g., notepat.com, kidlisp.com) route to specific pieces via Netlify edge functions.

Research applications #

The platform's 2,801 registered users, 16,244 KidLisp programs, 4,404 paintings, and 18,020 chat messages constitute a dataset for studying creative computing practices in a mobile-first, social context. The prompt-as-instrument interaction model offers a case study in alternative programming interfaces.

Assemblage #

Written and produced by @jeffrey. Tools used in the making of Aesthetic Computer and this paper include: JavaScript, Node.js, Vim, various LLMs (Claude, GPT, Gemini, etc.), fish shell, Git, Firefox, and a lot of coffee. Thanks to the AC community for creating the corpus and providing feedback, and to the 14 contributors to the open-source repository.

References #