How to open a .lua file
Quick, free ways to open Lua on any system.
A .lua file is a Lua Source File. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads Lua yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .lua file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .lua. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with VS Code or ZeroBrane Studio.
- On Mac, use VS Code or ZeroBrane Studio.
- On Linux, try VS Code or vim.
- Still stuck? Search for a dedicated Lua viewer.
Best apps to open .lua files
Windows
- VS Code
- ZeroBrane Studio
- any text editor
macOS
- VS Code
- ZeroBrane Studio
- any text editor
Linux
- VS Code
- vim
- lua interpreter
!
Before you open it: Caution. A .lua file is a script that executes when run. Review unfamiliar scripts, especially game mods, before running them.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .lua file?
Almost always because no installed app understands Lua. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I run a .lua file?
Install Lua and run lua file.lua, or run it inside the program that embeds Lua, such as a game or Redis.
Why is Lua used in games?
It is small, fast and easy to embed, so game engines expose Lua to let designers and players script behaviour without touching the engine's core.