# KodeLife — Real-time GPU Shader Editor

> Real-time GPU shader editor and graphics prototyping tool with live-coding. (iPhone/iPad app by Hexler LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodelife/id1569922579 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hexler LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1569922581)
- Category: Music, Developer Tools
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 30 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-07-24
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodelife/id1569922579/reviews.md

## What is KodeLife?

Kodelife is a real-time GPU shader editor, live-code performance tool and graphics prototyping sketchpad.

Lightweight App, Heavyweight Power
KodeLife gives you 100% native real-time control over your GPU's power with one lightweight app.

Real-time Live-Coding
Code is checked, evaluated and updated in the background as you type! Quick prototyping of visual effects without having to wait for compilation.

Plug and Play
Use your device's audio input and all available MIDI connections or connect a gamepad to drive your visuals. Support for external keyboards, mice and trackpads.

Multilingual
KodeLife supports all supported flavors of OpenGL GLSL, as well as the Metal Shading Language.

Cross-platform Support
Take your ideas with you! Exchange your projects with KodeLife running on other platforms. Also available on macOS, Windows and Linux.

## Key features

- Real-time GPU shader editing
- Live-coding for visual effects
- Graphics prototyping sketchpad
- Supports audio input and MIDI
- Cross-platform project exchange
- OpenGL GLSL and Metal Shading Language support

## Chart rankings

- #180 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 14)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodelife/id1569922579/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great

*2025-09-14*

It's my favourite app for livecoding rehersal. I perform on a desktop version of Kodelife which is also cool

### 5/5 — Powerful coding on your phone!

*2025-06-27*

Really easy to use interface especially on a phone, yet all the same power and ability as the desktop version. It really surprised me that i can make a visually good shader on my phone or iPad without needing a a big PC and gfx card. I like being able to create on the go instead of doomscrolling, plus you look cool as heck coding shaders in the coffee shop or club.

### 5/5 — Love the app but it needs ability to edit isf shaders

*2025-06-12*

I love the app, but it does need ability to view and edit isf file format

### 5/5 — The best shader editor ever

*2025-04-17*

I use it from its start on every platform I develop for: ios, macos, ubuntu. Great thing for production, demos and just for fun

### 5/5 — Very kewl

*2024-12-19*

I’ve trawled the iPadOS ecosystem for shader tools- KodeLife is by far the kewlest. KodeLife + Audulus (sending MIDI) is a fun combo. My only wish is AUV3 support - possibilities would explode!

### 5/5 — 🤩

*2024-08-22*

Amazing to have a full shader ide on my phone! I can make shaders on my commute. Love it.

### 5/5 — Still the best visuals app on iOS

*2023-01-23*

Would love to see a better files integration with the possibility to search files trough directory hierarchies.

### 5/5 — Excellent shader editor

*2022-11-07*

Brilliant for tinkering with shaders on the go.

### 5/5 — Nice

*2022-09-10*

If shader coding is your thing then this is a handy app to have 😀

### 4/5 — Great app, needs a few tweaks to be perfect

*2022-03-31*

I'm using Kodelife a lot, it's a great prototyping tool, and a good alternative to just use shadertoy in a browser.
There's a couple of features missing, though, and a few usability rough edges:
- no support for float or half textures/render target; this is super important for GPGPU that is not just instagram-like filters and something that would be needed in order to be actually compatible with shadertoy.
- if you have a lot of passes, you can't currently reorder them (or at least I did not find how) and have to resort to workarounds that make everything less understandable
- can you even search/replace in your code?
- going forth and back to/from other editors, it's super annoying that this seems to be the only one not supporting scrolling by just dragging the text - you have to find the small trackbar on the side, which is way to close to the app separator when multitasking on iPad pro
- when working on a file for some time, if you save multiple times, sometimes the original filename is lost and replaced with the default :you have to specify the file name again and override it, and if you have a lot of them it is super error-prone

I still think this is a great app, but it could be perfect with a some ironing :)

## Frequently asked questions about KodeLife

### What is KodeLife?

KodeLife is a real-time GPU shader editor and graphics prototyping sketchpad. It allows for live-coding of visual effects and supports various input devices for driving visuals.

### What programming languages does KodeLife support?

KodeLife supports all supported flavors of OpenGL GLSL, as well as the Metal Shading Language.

### Can I use KodeLife offline?

The description does not specify offline functionality, but its core features like real-time editing and live-coding suggest it may require an active connection for certain operations. However, project files can be exchanged across platforms.

### What devices is KodeLife available on?

KodeLife is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is also available on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

### How much does KodeLife cost?

KodeLife is a paid application priced at $9.99.

### How often is KodeLife updated?

The latest version is 1.2.6, last updated on April 8, 2026. This indicates a recent update, suggesting the app is actively maintained.

### What do users like about KodeLife?

Users appreciate its 'Heavyweight Power' in a 'Lightweight App' and its real-time live-coding capabilities for quick visual effect prototyping. The app boasts a high rating of 4.8 stars from 11 ratings.

### Does KodeLife have ads?

No, KodeLife does not contain advertisements.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.7 — 2026-06-20

- Added 'Decay' setting to 'Audio Spectrum Split' parameter
- Improved user interface layout
- Fixed file and XML export
- Updated privacy policy: added crash reporting service
- Updated game controller mapping database
- Minor bug fixes and improvements

### 1.2.6 — 2026-04-08

- Updated for upcoming App Store requirements
- Updated game controller mapping database
- Minor bug fixes and improvements

### 1.2.5 — 2025-12-06

- Fixed example projects compatibility problems with OpenGL ES3
- Added menu actions and shortcuts
- Fix for hidden menu bar on iOS 26
- Updated game controller mapping database
- Minor bug fixes and improvements

### 1.2.4 — 2025-11-06

- Fixes for possible problems on iOS 26

### 1.2.3 — 2025-10-25

- Added ability to change order of passes
- Fixed default shader compatibility problems with OpenGL ES3
- Fixed some editor options not being applied
- Updated game controller mapping database
- Minor bug fixes and improvements

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## More apps by Hexler LLC

- [TouchOSC Mk1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchosc-mk1/id288120394)
- [TouchViZ](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchviz/id486139371)
- [Protokol - MIDI/OSC Monitor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protokol-midiosc-monitor/id1451570764)
- [TouchOSC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchosc/id1569996730)

All apps by Hexler LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1569922581

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*