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logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution

Digital logic design tool and simulator

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README.md

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[![Logisim-evolution](docs/img/logisim-evolution-logo.png)](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution)

---

# Logisim-evolution #

* **Table of contents**
  * [Features](#features)
  * [Requirements](#requirements)
  * [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
  * **[Downloads](#download)**
    * [Package Manager](#package-manager)
    * [Nightly builds (unstable)](#nightly-builds)
  * [Pictures of Logisim-evolution](docs/pics.md)
  * [More Information](docs/docs.md)
  * [Bug reports & feature requests](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/issues)
  * [For developers](docs/developers.md)
  * [How to contribute](docs/developers.md#how-to-contribute)
  * [Credits](docs/credits.md)

---

## Features ##

`Logisim-evolution` is educational software for designing and simulating digital logic circuits.
`Logisim-evolution` is [free](#license), [open-source](https://github.com/logisim-evolution), and [cross-platform](#requirements).

Project highlights:

* easy to use circuit designer,
* logic circuit simulations,
* chronogram (to see the evolution of signals in your circuit),
* electronic board integration (schematics can be simulated on real hardware),
* VHDL components (components behavior can be specified in VHDL!),
* TCL/TK console (interfaces between the circuit and the user),
* huge library of components (LEDs, TTLs, switches, SoCs),
* allows for custom libraries to be [loaded on startup](docs/automatic_library_import.md)
* supports [multiple languages](docs/docs.md#translations),
* and more!

Getting started (no experience needed):

Step-by-step first circuit:

| Step | What you do | Why it matters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | `File → New` | Start a clean project |
| 2 | Place two `Input` components and one `AND` gate | Create a simple logic function |
| 3 | Add a `Probe` or `Lamp` as the output | Make the result visible |
| 4 | Use the wiring tool to connect inputs → gate → output | Build the circuit path |
| 5 | Toggle the inputs | Observe how logic affects the output |
| 6 | Save the project | Keep your work for later |

Key ideas in plain language:

| Concept | What it means in practice |
| --- | --- |
| Component | A building block you place on the canvas |
| Wire | The path that carries a 0 or 1 between components |
| Signal | The 0/1 value traveling on a wire |
| Subcircuit | A reusable group of components you define |
| Library | A collection of components you can add to a project |

If you get stuck:

* Click a component and read its properties panel.
* Use `Edit → Undo` to step back safely.
* Check the screenshots and docs links below for examples.

[![Logisim-evolution](docs/img/logisim-evolution-01-small.png)](docs/pics.md)
[![Logisim-evolution](docs/img/logisim-evolution-02-small.png)](docs/pics.md)
[![Logisim-evolution](docs/img/logisim-evolution-03-small.png)](docs/pics.md)

Image gallery: the three thumbnails above link to a larger set of screenshots in `docs/pics.md`.

---

## Requirements ##

`Logisim-evolution` is a Java application; therefore, it can run on any operating system supporting the Java runtime enviroment.
It requires [Java 21 (or newer)](https://adoptium.net/temurin/releases/).

Accessibility notes:

* If you use a screen reader, the `docs/` pages are plain Markdown and generally read well in linear order.
* If you prefer larger text or higher contrast, use your OS display settings or Java accessibility options.
* Keyboard navigation is supported throughout the app; consult the in-app help for shortcuts.
* The image gallery uses thumbnails that link to full-size images for better visibility.

Accessibility quick setup:

| Need | Tip |
| --- | --- |
| Larger text | Increase OS scaling or Java UI scaling |
| High contrast | Enable high-contrast mode in your OS |
| Keyboard-only use | Rely on menus and in-app shortcuts |

---

## Troubleshooting ##

### Blank window on Linux ###

With some non-reparenting window managers, the Logisim-evolution window may appear blank even
though its controls still respond. This is caused by an interaction between Java AWT and the window
manager. Try launching the JAR once with the following environment variable:

```bash
env _JAVA_AWT_WM_NONREPARENTING=1 java -jar logisim-evolution-<version>-all.jar
```

If this resolves the problem, configure the same environment variable in the session or launcher
used to start Logisim-evolution. See [issue #1235](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/issues/1235)
for background and confirmed configurations.

---

## Download ###

`Logisim-evolution` is available for
[download in compiled form](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/releases)
with ready to use installable packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux
or in [source code form](https://github.com/logisim-evolution), which you can [build yourself](docs/developers.md).

The following [platform specific packages](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/releases)
include the Java runtime and do not require it to be installed separately:

* `logisim-evolution_<version>-1_amd64.deb`: Debian package (also suitable for Ubuntu and derivatives),
* `logisim-evolution-<version>-1.x86_64.rpm`: Package for Fedora/Redhat/CentOS/SuSE Linux distributions,
* `logisim-evolution-<version>_amd64.snap`: The [Snap](https://snapcraft.io/docs) archive for all
  supported Linux distributions (also available in [Snapcraft store](https://snapcraft.io/logisim-evolution)),
* `logisim-evolution-<version>-aarch64.msi`: Installer package for Microsoft Windows for Arm processors,
* `logisim-evolution-<version>-amd64.msi`: Installer package for Microsoft Windows for Intel processors,
* `logisim-evolution-<version>-aarch64.dmg`: macOS package for Apple processors,
* `logisim-evolution-<version>-x86_64.dmg`: macOS package for Intel processors (also runs on Apple processors in simulation).

The Java JAR [`logisim-evolution-<version>-all.jar`](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/releases)
is also available and can be run on any system with a supported Java runtime installed.

[![Get it from the Snap Store](https://snapcraft.io/static/images/badges/en/snap-store-black.svg)](https://snapcraft.io/logisim-evolution)

Which download should I pick?

| You are on | Pick this | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Windows (Intel/AMD) | `logisim-evolution-<version>-amd64.msi` | Standard installer |
| Windows (ARM) | `logisim-evolution-<version>-aarch64.msi` | For ARM devices |
| macOS (Apple Silicon) | `logisim-evolution-<version>-aarch64.dmg` | For M-series Macs |
| macOS (Intel) | `logisim-evolution-<version>-x86_64.dmg` | Also runs via Rosetta |
| Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) | `logisim-evolution_<version>-1_amd64.deb` | Debian package |
| Linux (Fedora/Redhat) | `logisim-evolution-<version>-1.x86_64.rpm` | RPM package |
| Linux (Snap) | `logisim-evolution-<version>_amd64.snap` | Snap store build |
| Any OS with Java | `logisim-evolution-<version>-all.jar` | Portable option |

---

**Note for macOS users**:
The Logisim-evolution.app is not signed with an Apple approved certificate.

When launching the application for the first time, you will have to start it via the "Open" entry in the
application icon's context menu in the macOS Finder. This is either done by clicking the application
icon with the right mouse button or holding down <kbd>CTRL</kbd> while clicking the icon with the
left mouse button. This will open a panel asking you to verify that you wish to launch the application.
On more recent versions of macOS, the panel will only give you a choice of moving the app to the trash or Cancel.
On those systems, click Cancel, open `System Preferences`, and select `Security & Privacy`.
There you may need to click the lock to make changes and authenticate with an administrative acccount.
It should show an option to open the app.
See [Safely open apps on your Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491) for more information.

Depending on your security settings, you may also get a panel asking if you wish to allow it to accept
network connections. You can click "Deny" as we do not need network access currently nor we do request any.

### Package Manager ###

`Logisim-evolution` is available from a bunch of [package managers](https://repology.org/project/logisim-evolution/versions).
Note that these (except for Snap) are not maintained by the core developers.
If you should observe a bug in Logisim-evolution while using one of these packages,
first make sure that it can be reproduced with the most recent official packages
[provided through this repository](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/releases)
and ideally the HEAD of our [main branch](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/tree/main)
before [creating an issue](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/issues) on
the official [Logisim-evolution repository](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution).
Otherwise, report the issue to the package maintainer!

| Package manager | Command | Available version |
| --------------- | ------- | ----------------- |
| [Snap](https://snapcraft.io/logisim-evolution) | `snap install logisim-evolution` | ![Snapcraft Version](https://img.shields.io/snapcraft/v/logisim-evolution/latest/stable) |
| [Flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/details/com.github.reds.LogisimEvolution) | `flatpak install flathub com.github.reds.LogisimEvolution` | ![Flathub Version](https://img.shields.io/flathub/v/com.github.reds.LogisimEvolution) |
| [Homebrew](https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/logisim-evolution) | `brew install --cask logisim-evolution` | ![Homebrew Cask Version](https://img.shields.io/homebrew/cask/v/logisim-evolution) |
| [MacPorts](https://ports.macports.org/port/logisim-evolution/details/) | `port install logisim-evolution` | ![MacPorts Port Version](https://img.shields.io/macports/v/logisim-evolution) |
| [Chocolatey](https://community.chocolatey.org/packages/logisim-evolution) | `choco install logisim-evolution` | ![Chocolatey Version](https://img.shields.io/chocolatey/v/Logisim-evolution) |
| [winget](https://winget.run/pkg/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution) | `winget install -e --id logisim-evolution.logisim-evolution` | ![WinGet Package Version](https://img.shields.io/winget/v/logisim-evolution.logisim-evolution) |
| [Arch User Repository](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/logisim-evolution) | | ![AUR Version](https://img.shields.io/aur/version/logisim-evolution) |
| [nixpkgs](https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=26.05&show=logisim-evolution) | `nix-shell -p logisim-evolution` | [![nixpkgs stable 26.05 package](https://repology.org/badge/version-for-repo/nix_stable_26_05/logisim-evolution.svg)](https://repology.org/project/logisim-evolution/versions) |

### Nightly builds ###

We also offer builds based on the current state of the
[main](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/tree/main) branch.
If the main branch has been changed,
a new `Nightly build` is created at midnight [UTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time).

Note that these builds may be unstable since the main branch is a work in progress.

To get nightly downloads, please go to the
[nightly workflow page](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/actions/workflows/nightly.yml)
and browse to the last successful build from the `Nightly` worker.
Nightly runs each night, but terminates quickly and does not produce new packages if nothing has changed since the last run.
Find the most recent run that contains the packages.
The time Nightly took to run, given near the clock icon on the right, helps your search.
Note that due to GitHub internals, all files are provided as ZIP archives.
You must unzip the downloaded file to get the installation package.

Please share your experience in [Discussions](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/discussions)
or [open a ticket](https://github.com/logisim-evolution/logisim-evolution/issues)
if you found a bug or have suggestions for improvement.

---

## License ##

* `Logisim-evolution` is copyrighted ©2001-2026 by Logisim-evolution [developers](docs/credits.md).
* This is free software licensed under [GNU General Public License v3](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html).

Repository info

Default branch: main
Latest version: v5.0.0
Created: 2014-09-19
Last activity: 2026-10-13
License: GPL-3.0
Open issues: 128
Watchers: 79

Topics

circuit circuits digital-circuit digital-circuits digital-logic digital-logic-design education fpga logic logisim logisim-evolution simulator timing-diagram verilog vhdl

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