Once you have downloaded a binary package or built from source, you can start Factor as follows:

• Mac OS X: Double-click Factor.app or run open Factor.app in a Terminal to start the UI; run ./factor in the Terminal to start a command-line listener
• Windows: Double-click factor.exe, or run .\factor.com in a command prompt, to start the Factor UI
• Unix: Run ./factor in a shell to start the Factor UI if $DISPLAY is set, otherwise start a command line listener

For more details, see Running Factor.

Documentation

The Factor environment includes extensive reference documentation and a short "cookbook" to help you get started. The best way to read the documentation is in the UI; press F1 in the UI listener to open the help browser tool. You can also browse the documentation online at http://docs.factorcode.org. Important subsections on the above site:

• Library reference
• Vocabulary index
• Factor cookbook
• The main http://docs.factorcode.org page has a search box for searching all of the documentation and language reference material.

First steps

• Configure Factor to work with your favorite editor.
• Start a project with the Scaffold tool.
• Read the introductory Factor cookbook or the "Your First Program" tutorial, both of which are a part of the Factor Handbook.

Explore further

You might want to look at some Examples.

The FAQ will answer the most common questions.

Chris Double maintains a collection of Factor articles covering various advanced topics.

A great way to get started with Factor is to join the Concatenative IRC channel and introduce yourself. We are a friendly community and we like to help beginners. We also have a Mailing list for Factor discussion.