# Building AeThex Engine on Windows

## Prerequisites

1. **Python 3.6+**
   - Download from [python.org](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
   - Make sure to check "Add to PATH" during installation

2. **SCons Build Tool**
   ```powershell
   pip install scons
   ```

3. **Visual Studio 2022 Community** (Free)
   - Download from [visualstudio.microsoft.com](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/)
   - Install "Desktop development with C++" workload
   - Includes MSVC compiler and Windows SDK

   **OR**

   **MinGW-w64** (Alternative)
   - Download from [winlibs.com](https://winlibs.com/)
   - Extract and add `bin` folder to PATH

## Build Steps

### Using PowerShell or Command Prompt:

```powershell
# Clone repository (if not already done)
git clone https://github.com/AeThex-LABS/AeThex-Engine-Core
cd AeThex-Engine-Core\engine

# Build with MSVC (recommended)
scons platform=windows target=editor -j4

# OR build with MinGW
scons platform=windows target=editor use_mingw=yes -j4
```

### Build Time
- **First build**: 30-60 minutes
- **CPU cores**: Use `-j4` or `-j8` based on your CPU
- **RAM**: Recommend 8GB+ available

## Build Output

The executable will be created at:
```
engine\bin\aethex.windows.editor.x86_64.exe
```

Or rename after build:
```powershell
cd engine\bin
ren godot.windows.editor.x86_64.exe aethex.windows.editor.x86_64.exe
```

## Running the Engine

```powershell
cd engine\bin
.\aethex.windows.editor.x86_64.exe
```

## Troubleshooting

### Error: "MSVC not found"
- Make sure Visual Studio 2022 is installed with C++ workload
- Restart terminal after installation
- Try running from "Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022"

### Error: "scons: command not found"
- Ensure Python is in PATH
- Run: `pip install --upgrade scons`
- Restart terminal

### Error: "Out of memory"
- Reduce parallel jobs: use `-j2` instead of `-j4`
- Close other applications
- Increase virtual memory in Windows settings

### Build too slow?
- Use more CPU cores: `-j8` (match your CPU count)
- Use SSD for faster compilation
- Build in Release mode is faster than Debug

## Windows-Specific Features

AeThex Engine on Windows includes:
- Native Windows UI integration
- DirectX 12 / Vulkan rendering
- Xbox controller support out-of-the-box
- Windows-native file dialogs
- Steam integration ready

## Cross-Platform Development

You can develop on Windows and export to:
- Windows (native)
- Linux
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
- Web (HTML5)
- Consoles (with licenses)

## Next Steps

After building:
1. Launch the editor
2. Create a test project
3. Configure AI features (add Claude API key)
4. Start developing!

## GitHub Actions Alternative

Don't want to build locally? Push to GitHub and let CI/CD build for you automatically! Check `.github/workflows/build.yml` for the automated build pipeline.