TidalCycles DevContainer

A pre-configured TidalCycles development container for live coding music with algorithmic patterns using NeuroPilot.

Quick Start

1. Set Up Audio (Windows)

In WSL2, install and start PipeWire:

# Install PipeWire
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

# Configure network access for Docker
mkdir -p ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire-pulse.conf.d
cat > ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire-pulse.conf.d/50-network.conf << 'EOF'
context.exec = [
    { path = "pactl" args = "load-module module-native-protocol-tcp auth-ip-acl=127.0.0.1;172.17.0.0/16;192.168.0.0/16 auth-anonymous=1" }
]
EOF

# Start PipeWire
pipewire &
pipewire-pulse &

Linux users: Audio should work automatically.
Detailed setup & troubleshooting: See AUDIO_SETUP_WINDOWS.md

2. Open DevContainer

1. Open this folder in VS Code
2. Press F1 → "Dev Containers: Reopen in Container"
3. Wait for build (5-10 minutes first time)

3. Start Making Music

1. Open samples/TEST.tidal
2. Press Shift+Enter on any line to play
3. Press Ctrl+. to stop all sounds

No audio? → See AUDIO_SETUP_WINDOWS.md for troubleshooting

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What is TidalCycles?

TidalCycles is a live coding environment for creating algorithmic music patterns using Haskell. This container includes:

• TidalCycles: Pattern language and library
• SuperCollider + SuperDirt: Audio synthesis and sample playback
• PipeWire: Modern low-latency audio system
• VS Code extensions: Syntax highlighting and REPL integration

Quick Example

-- A simple drum pattern
d1 $ sound "bd sd bd sd"

-- Add hi-hats
d2 $ sound "hh*8"

-- Melodic pattern with effects
d3 $ n "0 2 4 7" # sound "superpiano" # room 0.5

-- Stop everything
hush

See QUICK_REFERENCE.md for more patterns and TidalCycles documentation for in-depth guides.

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Resources

• Troubleshooting: AUDIO_SETUP_WINDOWS.md
• Pattern Reference: QUICK_REFERENCE.md
• TidalCycles Docs: https://tidalcycles.org/docs/
• Community Forum: https://club.tidalcycles.org/
• Related Project: Strudel (JavaScript/Web version, does not work with NeuroPilot)