Overview

Runebender edits UFO and designspace font sources. It also opens and edits Glyphs files and compiled fonts, converting them to UFO/Designspace on the way in. These pages cover what it does, how to install it, and how to use it.

Status	Alpha documentation
Stability	The editor changes quickly; verify against the source

Read This First

Runebender is alpha software. Keep your font sources under version control and work on copies. The editor writes UFO and designspace files in place, and a bug can damage them.

These pages describe the Runebender desktop application. The WASM editor lets you edit a bundled font. Use the desktop application to open and save your own fonts.

If you are using an AI agent, start with the short agent map or Agents. The connected editor's tools/list gives the exact live tool schemas.

Start

Install Install the desktop application with cargo. Draw a Glyph A tutorial: from an empty font to a saved, spaced letter. Opening and Saving What opens, what converts, and how saving works. Concepts Sources, the em, outlines, and what interpolation needs. The Interface What each panel and bar does.

Editing

Tools The editor's drawing and inspection tools. Glyphs Add, rename, encode, group, and remove glyphs. Paths and Filters Clean up, combine, and transform outlines. Metaballs Edit blending source shapes and convert them to cubics. Components and Anchors Build composites that follow their base. Masters and Interpolation Work across a designspace. Spacing and Kerning Widths, metric keys, and kerning by dragging. Feature Code Edit features.fea, or generate it from names and anchors. Color Fonts Palettes, layers, and COLRv0 or v1. Text and Shaping Type in context, including Arabic and other RTL scripts. Font Info Names, vertical metrics, and hinting values. Checking a Font Compare masters, measure weights, verify joining.

AI and Agent Work

Agents Choose live MCP, saved-source automation, or screen control; set up a safe font repository. MCP Connect an agent to an unsaved native editor, inspect, propose, proof, and install with undo. Type Design with Agents A compact design brief, drawing theory, reference selection, curve review, and proof workflow. Experiment Versions Fork live designs, compare proofs, and apply selected glyph or kerning changes safely. Local Models Run an experimental model on your machine, over your own sources. Set Up Local AI Install two programs, clone the demo repo, and train your first model in five minutes.

Learn

Draw a Glyph A tutorial from empty font to saved letter. Workflows Recipes for jobs that span several parts of the editor.

Architecture and code

Architecture The current source map and ownership boundaries. Code Layout A short guide to the current Rust source tree. Design Principles The UI rules used for editor changes. Development Build from source and work on core alongside.

Reference

Shortcuts Every keyboard command and menu item. Configuration The config file: theme, models, and the session journal. Themes Portable theme files, Base UI, and Glyph Grid colors. File Format What Runebender writes into a UFO. Source Preservation Accepted UFO and Designspace fields and explicit rejection boundaries. Known Limitations Current platform, browser, format, and agent boundaries. Exporting Build a font file from your sources. Scripting Automating alongside the editor, and what is not there. Troubleshooting What to check when something fails. FAQ Short answers, including the uncomfortable ones. Glossary Terms used across these pages.