iPhone, iPad and Android user guide
Get Hew Playground from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad. You can start with a bundled example; no desktop compiler or account is needed for the editor.
The public App Store release is currently 0.5.0. In that release, Run uses the online service and requires internet. This guide covers its example, editor and file workflows and labels the execution controls found in newer source builds, which now bundle Hew 0.9.2. The real screenshots show a 0.6.1 build, including its On device/Remote chooser; those controls may be absent from your store version. Use the bundled examples for the app you have installed.
Change the text inside println, then run again. For a small program you can type yourself:
fn main() {
println("Hello from my phone!");
}Opening another example replaces the editor contents. Keep a working copy in My Files, or export it, before moving on; respond to any unsaved-changes prompt.
Tap the editor to type. Line numbers, syntax colors, auto-indent, bracket pairing and the symbol accessory bar help with punctuation. Recent builds offer compiler-backed completion, type information, a document outline and diagnostics. In More (…) → Settings, adjust editor and analysis preferences.
When an underline appears, read the diagnostic before changing more code. A compile error means the program could not build; a runtime error means execution failed after compilation. The Output panel distinguishes these from a connection error. Correct the first relevant error, then run again. Compiler quick fixes, when offered, apply to the selected diagnostic.
In builds with the engine selector, On device runs supported programs locally. Remote sends the source to Hew’s online execution service and needs internet. The selected engine and compiler version appear with output. A local failure stays visible; choose Run remotely yourself when that action is offered and you want to send the program to the server.
Stop replaces Run while a program is running. Use it to cancel a long run before changing engines or starting another. On-device execution supports the bundled runtime’s capabilities; operating-system resources and some native-only features may need a remote run. Keep a small bundled example handy when checking whether a problem is in your code or the chosen engine.
Open More (…) → My Files for local working copies. Use + to create a document and select a document to reopen it. Edits to a working document are saved locally. Rename through the document’s context menu; delete only when you no longer need the local copy.
.hew file into the editor..hew file to a destination you choose in Files.Use export for a portable copy before removing the app or changing devices. If a Files provider is unavailable or an export fails, keep the local document and retry with an available destination.
Use More (…) → Share:
hew.run link.In Settings, the share format can be Auto, Always Inline or Always Server. Inline links carry compressed source in the URL fragment and can be created offline when the program fits. Auto can upload a larger program to create a server-backed link; Always Server uses the server while connected. Recent iOS builds try an inline link when offline, even if Always Server is selected. That offline link still contains the code in its fragment. If the program does not fit, the app reports the problem; copy the code or export a file instead.
Remote execution and server-backed sharing send source text to the service. Anyone receiving a code link can read its contents; remove passwords, tokens and private application data before sharing.
Open Library → Tutorials for guided lessons and Try it in the Editor to work on one.
Documentation → Quick Ref contains bundled syntax cards with Try It actions. Docs and Learn open live website pages and need internet; Quick Ref remains available offline.
When you want the ideas behind the syntax, start with the core concepts map. Use the language reference and standard-library guide when you need exact rules or API details. These website pages track the current Hew release and can be newer than the compiler bundled with your installed app.
Drag the divider between editor and output to give the panel you are using more space. Rotate or use Split View as needed; the toolbar and panels adapt to the available width. A hardware keyboard is optional.
.hew file if decoding fails.Continue with the Android guide or mobile guide overview. The printable manual contains both platform guides.
Join the Hew Playground Android beta, follow Google Play’s opt-in steps and install the app. Android is in development; this public pre-release can change as work continues. Keep exported copies of code you want to retain.
This guide follows the current Android app source, which bundles the official Hew 0.9.2 compiler and sandbox engine. Its native screenshots show the learner and document screens captured from a signed 0.6.1 build. The beta installed through Play can be an earlier version; names and available features may vary.
println, then tap Run again.
You can also type this small program:
fn main() {
println("Hello from Android!");
}The editor changes to the selected example or lesson. Keep a local file or export the code before replacing work you want to retain.
Tap the editor to type. It provides line numbers, syntax highlighting, auto-indent and bracket/quote pairing. Settings controls font size, line numbers and analysis preferences. When the local compiler is ready, completion chips, diagnostics, hover information and the Symbols outline help you inspect code. Long-press in the editor for hover information; tap a completion chip to insert it.
Drag the divider or use the output-panel control to adjust how much code and output you see. A larger screen gives the adaptive layout more room.
A successful run prints its standard output in Output. Compile errors, runtime failures and connection errors appear there instead of being treated as successful output. Fix the first relevant diagnostic, then run again. A program that does not print can finish successfully with an empty output panel.
The current Android implementation tries the on-device sandbox when it is ready. If it is unavailable, or the program is rejected only for native-only capabilities, execution can use the remote service and send the source to the server. Genuine compile errors and other local failures stay visible. Android does not currently expose the iOS On device/Remote engine chooser.
On-device supported programs can run offline after the engine is ready. A remote run needs internet and the service’s supported capabilities. If you need to keep code off the network, do not assume pressing Run is local in every situation. Check your installed version and the available engine status before running sensitive source.
Choose My Files. It stores working copies inside the app and auto-saves them while you edit. Use New File to create one, tap a file to reopen it, and use its menu to rename or delete it.
.hew file from the Android document picker into the app..hew file to the chosen destination.Local documents are kept in app-private storage and are excluded from Android backup/device transfer in the current implementation. Export important code before uninstalling, clearing app data or changing devices. If a storage provider fails, retain the working copy and retry elsewhere.
Tap the Share icon in the top bar to create a hew.run link and open Android’s share chooser. In Settings → Sharing & Links, choose the default share format:
| Format | What happens |
|---|---|
| Auto | Creates an inline link if it fits; otherwise uploads source for a server-backed link. |
| Always Inline | Keeps compressed source in the URL fragment; reports an error if the program is too large. |
| Always Server | Uploads source to create a short link; requires a connection. |
An inline link still contains the program. Anyone with the link can read it. Remove secrets and private data before sharing. If link creation fails, check the connection or export a .hew file instead. Supported share links can open in the app when Open share links in-app is enabled.
Choose Library → Tutorials for guided lessons. Read a lesson, then use Try it in the Editor to load its code. Tutorial progress and settings are stored locally.
Library → Documentation opens Quick Ref, Docs and Learn. Quick Ref’s syntax cards are bundled and available offline; Try It loads a snippet. Docs and Learn open live website content and require internet.
When you want the ideas behind the syntax, start with the core concepts map. Use the language reference and standard-library guide when you need exact rules or API details. These website pages track the current Hew release and can be newer than the compiler bundled with your installed beta.
Continue with the iPhone/iPad guide or mobile guide overview. Both guides are also in the printable manual.