Getting Started with Scratch

1) Download Scratch software. (It's free!)

2) Install and launch Scratch software on your computer.

3) To make your first project, follow the steps in the Getting Started guide.

Or, you can watch Scratch video tutorials.

 
4. Sign up for an account on the website.

 
 
 
 
5) Share your project on the Scratch website. 

 
6) Log in to the Scratch website and check out your project!

 
7) Download projects by others, and see the code

Scratch FAQ
Getting Started with Scratch
Software
What are the system requirements for Scratch 1.4?
Display: 800 x 480 or larger, thousands or millions of colors (16-bit color or greater)
Operating System:  Windows 2000 or later, Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Ubuntu Linux 9.04 - 10.04 (For other versions of Linux, see the
Linux Installer page)
Disk: at least 120 megabytes of free space to install Scratch.
CPU and memory: Most computers have enough memory to run Scratch, but older computers may run Scratch slowly.
Sound / Video: Sound playback requires speakers (or headphones), and recording requires a microphone. Many laptops have
speakers and microphones built in. Scratch 1.4 can use a USB or built-in camera (optional).
If your computer doesn't meet these requirements, you can try installing a previous version of Scratch.
How do I make a project?
To learn how to make a project, visit our How To Get Started page. 
We also recommend looking at the sample projects that come with Scratch software. Click Open and choose a project in Animation,
Games, or any of the other folders. In each folder, the simpler projects are listed first.
How do I make a game?
Here are some ways to get started making an interactive game:
- Use the code on "Key Moves" and other Scratch cards
- See Mick's project called Learning How to Make a Game
- Or, you can start by making changes to someone else's game project. In Scratch, click Open and then choose from the Games
folder.
Is there a reference manual for Scratch?
The Scratch 1.4 Reference Guide contains an explanation of the Scratch interface and programming language.
For more ways to learn how to use Scratch, visit the Support page.
Getting Started on the Scratch Website
How do I get an account on the Scratch website?
See the Getting Started with Scratch page.
How do I download projects from the website?
All projects on the website are available to download. First, log in to the website. Then, on any project page, click on "Download
[project name]" in the upper righthand corner.
How do I make the Scratch website my homepage?
You can set your web browser to the Scratch homepage.
- For Internet Explorer, click on the Tools menu, then select Options.
- For Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > Main.
Then type in the Home Page address: http://scratch.mit.edu
Sharing Projects
How do I share or upload a project to the website?
- To post a project on the Scratch website, open your project in the Scratch software, then click the Share! button. You will need a
username and password for the Scratch website.
Why do I get an error when I try to upload or share my project?
Here are the solutions we know of so far:
1. File too big. The largest file limit is 10 MB. (Solution: In Scratch, click the Edit menu > and select compress sounds. Also Edit >
compress images. If you have compressed sounds and your project still won't upload, delete some of the sounds.)
2. Internet connection too slow and times out (Solution: Make the file smaller. If that doesn't work, try connecting from a different
computer or connection or web browser)
3. Proxy server getting in the way (Solution: Try an Internet connection that does not go through a proxy server, or configure Scratch
to use your proxy server using the instructions on the Network Installation page. ).
4. Wrong username and password. (Solution: Try logging into Scratch website to make sure username and password are correct.)
5. Website "hiccup"  (Solution: Try again later).
6. Security software (Solution: Try a different computer or different settings on security software.)
7. Vista profile (Solution: Try changing settings or uploading from another profile.)
Can I update my existing project with a new one?
Yes, if you upload a project with the same name as one that is on the website already, the new project will replace the old.
How do I delete my project?
To delete a project, make sure you're logged in to the Scratch website. Go to My Stuff. Check the box under the project, and then
click the button above that says "delete selected projects."
Viewing Projects
Why can't I see the videos or projects on the website?
- Make sure you have the Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer. Go to Java.com and click the "Verify Installation"
button to see if you have Java. If not, install Java.
- If you still get a gray box instead of a Scratch project, try a different web browser (such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari).
Remixing and Copying
What is a remix?
When a Scratcher downloads someone else's project, then adds their own ideas to it (for example, by changing scripts or costumes),
the resulting project is called a "remix."
How can I make a remix?
Just download someone else's project and open it in Scratch. Make changes to scripts or costumes or other parts of the project, then
click the Share button to upload your remix to the Scratch Website. The project page on the website will automatically credit the
original creator, and the project will be listed as a remix of the original project.
Why does Scratch support and encourage remixing?
Modifying and extending other people's projects is a great way to learn more about Scratch -- and to develop more sophisticated
projects than you could on your own.
What if someone copies a project without changing anything?
It is disrespectful to upload a project that was created entirely by someone else, with the intention of taking credit or causing
confusion about who created the project. If you see such a project, please flag it as inappropriate and include a link to the original
project with your explanation.
Can I use artwork I found on the internet in my Scratch project
While we encourage remixing of projects on the Scratch website, not everyone on the internet wants their artwork to be reused. It's
important to respect the original artist's wishes. You can search for content that is licensed for remixing at the Creative Commons
website. Whenever you use someone else's work, be sure to give them credit and put a link to the original in your project notes.

Username, Password, and Accounts

 How can I reset my password?
Visit the Password Recovery Page and enter the email address associated with your account. An email will be sent to that address
with a link that will allow you to reset your password. If you don't remember or no longer have access to the email account
associated with your Scratch account, you can contact us with the birthdate and country entered when you first created the
account. Then, we can reset your password for you.
How can I change my username?
At the moment, there is no way to change your username in Scratch without creating an entirely new account.
How can I retrieve my username?
- If you posted comments on another person's project (or gallery or forum), you can search for the title of the project and find your
username on your comments.
- If you created projects and remember the names of them, you can search for them to look for your username.
- If you can email us from the address you used to sign up for your account, we may be able to retrieve your username for you.
How do I delete my account?
It's not necessary to delete your account if you choose to leave Scratch. If you are certain you want your account removed, first
download any projects you'd like to keep. Login to your account and use the contact us page to request deletion. In your message,
be sure to indicate the birth month and year that you entered when the account was created so we can confirm that you are the
owner.
Why does the Scratch site keep logging me out?
- Make sure your browser is set to accept cookies.
- If you are using Internet Explorer, please see this forum topic. You may want to try Firefox web browser.
Can I have more than one account on the Scratch Website?
It's fine to have a few accounts on the Scratch website, as long as they aren't used to violate the Community Guidelines.
Why can't I change my profile image?
You may be experiencing this problem because the image file is too large or the filetype is not supported.Try reducing the size of
your image or changing it to another format: JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Sometimes it takes awhile for the update to take effect. If your
browser is caching the old picture, it won't show you the new one until the cache is cleared. Try restarting your browser. Also, there
is a setting in your browser that will let you manually clear the cache.
Why does my profile image look distorted?
In order for your picture to keep its shape, it should be square (90 x 90 pixels).
How do I use a sprite for my profile image?
First, export the sprite's costume by right-clicking (Mac: Ctrl+click), select "export" and choose a folder to save it in. Then, in My
Stuff on the Scratch website, under your username, there is a link to "change picture". Browse through your folders and select the
image you exported.
How do I make my profile an animated image?
To make a profile image an animated gif, please see this animated image forum topic 
How do I add a friend to my friend list?
You can add any user to your friend list by going to their "MyStuff" page and clicking on "add to friends" on the left-hand panel of the
page.
How do I remove a friend from my friend list?
You can remove any user from your friend list by going to your "MyStuff" page and clicking on "see more" under your list of friends.
This will show all your friends. To delete, click on the [X] under their username.
Galleries
How do I change the picture on my gallery?
Go to your gallery page, and click the "change picture" link below the current image. Select your image file and then click "update." 
If your computer continues to display the old image, try clearing your browser's cache so you can view the new one. Instructions on
how to clear your cache can be found on this WikiHow page.
Scratch Projects on Another Website or a CD
How do I put my Scratch project on another website?
The easiest way is to post your project to the Scratch site and then you can still play it from your website by embedding a link as
described here: http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Publishing_your_Scratch_projects_on_other_websites
If you only want the Scratch project on your website and not on the Scratch website, see this forum topic
http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=191
Can I run my Scratch project from a CD or Flash drive?
With some setup, you can copy and run a project from a Scratch CD (or USB Flash drive). To learn how, see this forum topic:
http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=191
Inappropriate Content and Reporting Users
How do I report inappropriate content?
Please flag any projects or comments that you find offensive or inappropriate. The Scratch team will review them.
How do I know if material I am posting is appropriate?
Please see our Community Guidelines for more information on what is considered appropriate.
What about commercial links / spam?
Commercial links are not allowed on the Scratch website and forums, and will be removed.
What does the Scratch team do about inappropriate content?
The Scratch team reviews flagged content on a daily basis, and may censor comments, projects, or forum posts that violate the
Scratch Website Community Guidelines.
What do I do about someone who is copying my projects?
We encourage remixing in the Scratch community, since we have seen how remixing can lead to creative, interesting projects.
Sometimes, it's even useful to copy a project exactly, while exploring how a project works. But it is not respectful for someone to
claim ownership over a project or sprite they didn't create. The website includes a "Based on..." link to give credit to the original
author -- and we hope that remixers will also give credit in their Project Notes.
How do I report a user?
You click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page on the website and explain the problem.
How do I ignore another user?
You can choose not to receive comments from another user by adding them to your "ignore" list. When a user is ignored, no one will
see their comments on your projects or galleries. To add a user to your ignore list, go to your "MyStuff" page and click on "Edit My
Ignore List" in the lefthand column. This will take you to a page where you can enter the username to be ignored, and the reason
you chose to ignore them. Only the Scratch Team can view the reason.
Why are some users blocked from accessing the Scratch Website?
When a user account has been used to violate the Community Guidelines, the Scratch team may block the account's access to the
Scratch website. Please see the Blocks on User Accounts FAQ for more information.
Privacy
What information can I share online?
We recommend you do not share any personal contact information, such as your physical address, email address, phone number, or
anything else that can be used to make contact outside of the Scratch website. Please flag projects, comments, or forum posts that
contain this kind of information so the Scratch team can remove it, and remind the author of our policy.
License, Permission, and Source Code
Is Scratch free?
Yes! You can download, copy, and use Scratch software free of charge.
What is the license for Scratch? 
Please visit our Scratch license page.
Can I present Scratch at a conference?
Please feel free to make presentations about Scratch to educators or other groups. We grant our permission to make presentations.
We would appreciate if you would let us know which conference or event.
Can I use Scratch and / or screenshots of Scratch in a textbook or a CD? 
Yes, you can create a book or chapter about Scratch and you can even include the Scratch software (the binaries) on a CD. You may
also use the Scratch logo, as well as screenshots / images of the Scratch application and website. We do ask to include a note on the
book and the CD that says "Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See
http://scratch.mit.edu".
Can I include a description of Scratch and the Scratch logo in brochures or other materials?
Sure! We recommend the following description: "Scratch makes it easy to program your own interactive stories, games, and
animations -- and share your creations on the web. As you create and share projects with Scratch, you learn to think creatively,
reason systematically, and work collaboratively. Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. It is
available for free download from http://scratch.mit.edu"
Here is a high-resolution version of the Scratch Logo.
Where can I find the source code for Scratch and the Scratch website?
The source code for the Scratch software, written in Squeak, is available on the Scratch Source Code page. Certain restrictions apply
to distribution.
A link to the source code for the ScratchR website platform can be found here. The Scratch website was developed using free, open-
source software: CakePHP, MySQL, Apache, and Memcached, and is available for free under the General Public License.
The Future of Scratch
 Will there be future versions of Scratch?
Yes, the MIT Scratch Team is working on a new version called Scratch 2.0.
 How can I suggest new features and improvements?
Check out the Scratch Suggestions site.
Other Questions?
Search or visit the Scratch discussion forums
About Scratch
Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories,    
animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web.
As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and
computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work
collaboratively.
Educators - Information for educators using Scratch
News - Stories about Scratch in the media
Research - Papers and presentations about Scratch Donate - Support the Scratch project
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, with financial
support from the National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Intel Foundation, MacArthur
Foundation, Google, Iomega and MIT Media Lab research consortia.
See the Credits page for a list of people who worked together to create Scratch.
To find books, T-shirts, and other Scratch-related products, visit the Scratch Store.
To learn about Scratch events, visit the Scratch Conference and Scratch Day sites.
The Scratch project is based upon research supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 0325828. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the National Science Foundation.