How to share a Bitsy game as a playable link
Drop the .html file Bitsy exports (up to 10 MB), or a ZIP up to 25 MB with extra files, on ship.page for a free playable link in seconds, no signup. The link stays online for 30 days without an account, or 90 days when you claim it for free.
A file. A folder. A fresh start.
Your static site, one link away.
Uploading publishes your file. The link is public but unlisted, not password-protected, so leave out secrets and confidential content.
- Bitsy bundles engine, font and data in one file
- 1 .html file
- Max size for a single HTML file on every plan
- 10 MB
- Online with no account; 90 days with a free account
- 30 days
- Pro plan for permanent links and in-place updates
- $4/mo
How to get a playable link for your Bitsy game
Open the save menu in make.bitsy.org
In the Bitsy editor at make.bitsy.org, open the game tool and click its save menu. Before exporting, you can use the export settings to pick the page color and choose between a full-page or fixed-size display.
Download the .html file (not .bitsy)
Under the .html section, click save game. Your browser will download one .html file named after your game title with the Bitsy engine, font, and game data all inside it. Do not pick save data for hosting, because that downloads a plain-text .bitsy file meant for editing, not playing.
Drag the .html file into ship.page
Drop your exported .html file directly onto the uploader on this page, or click to select it from your computer. No account or credit card is needed, and you do not have to rename a single HTML file before uploading.
Share your live link or QR code
Your game goes live in seconds on its own HTTPS subdomain. Copy the URL to send to friends or classmates, or download the PNG QR code from the success screen so people can play on their phones.
Ways to put a Bitsy game online
| Option | Account needed | Best for | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ship.page free | No; a free account keeps it 90 days | Instant link for friends, a class, or playtesting | 30 days without an account; new link on re-upload |
| ship.page Pro ($4/mo) | Yes | Keeping the same link across updates and password-protecting drafts | Pages are unlisted and there is no custom domain |
| itch.io (free) | Yes | A public release page for your game | Default 10% revenue share, adjustable from 0% to 100% |
Why does Bitsy work right away as a single file?
When you click save game under .html in make.bitsy.org, Bitsy packs everything into one self-contained .html file. The Bitsy engine, the font and your game data are all inside that single file.
Because there are no external scripts or image folders to break, you can host a single HTML page without zipping anything first. A single HTML file can be up to 10 MB on every ship.page plan.
Tip: If you ever bundle extra files alongside your game in a folder or ZIP, follow Bitsy's own itch.io guide and rename the exported game file to index.html so it loads as the homepage.
When should you use itch.io vs. ship.page?
If you want a public release page for your game, itch.io is the place for it. It hosts HTML5 games for free, takes a single .html file or a ZIP up to 500 MB extracted (1,000 files max, 200 MB per file), and lets you set its revenue share anywhere from 0% to 100% (10% is the default).
Use ship.page when you want to share an HTML game in seconds without registering an account or filling out a store page. Every page on ship.page is served with a noindex header so search engines stay out, and uploads are never listed in a public directory, making it ideal for quick playtests with friends, a classroom assignment, or a jam team check-in.
- Pick ship.page free for a 30-day playtest link with zero registration.
- Sign in with Google or an email link and claim the upload to keep it online for 90 days.
- Upgrade to Pro for $4 a month to update your game at the same URL, add a password, and remove the closable badge.
- Pick itch.io when you are ready for a public release page.
What if you want to add custom audio or extra assets?
If you edit your exported Bitsy HTML to load separate files like audio or extra pages, put index.html and those files into one folder or ZIP before uploading.
On the free plan, a ZIP can be up to 25 MB (100 MB unpacked) with up to 100 files, while dragging a raw folder directly into the browser supports roughly 7 MB of files (encoded into a 10 MB request). Remember that file paths on ship.page are case-sensitive, so match your uppercase and lowercase letters when linking audio or images.
Questions
How do I download my Bitsy game as an HTML file?
In the Bitsy editor at make.bitsy.org, open the game tool, open its save menu, and click save game under the .html heading. Your browser will download one playable .html file named after your game title.
What is the difference between a .html file and a .bitsy file?
Clicking save game under .html downloads a self-contained web page that anyone can play in a browser. Clicking save data downloads a plain-text .bitsy file with your editable game data, which is not a playable page.
Do I need to rename my Bitsy file to index.html?
If you upload the single .html file by itself to ship.page, you do not need to rename it. If you put the file inside a folder or a ZIP with other files, rename the game file to index.html so ship.page knows which file to open first.
How long does a free Bitsy game link stay online?
An unclaimed upload stays live for 30 days with no signup required. If you sign in with Google or an email link for a free account and claim the page, it stays online for 90 days.
Can I update my Bitsy game without changing the link?
On the free plan, pages cannot be edited in place, so uploading a new version creates a new URL. On the Pro plan ($4 a month, cancel anytime), you can re-upload your updated .html file and keep the exact same link, and your page never expires.
Will strangers be able to find my Bitsy game on Google?
No. Every page hosted on ship.page is served with a noindex header so search engines do not index it, and ship.page has no public feed of uploads. Only people who have your link can open the game, and Pro users can also add password protection.
Keep reading
Drop your Bitsy .html file to play
Drag your exported game file into the uploader for a free HTTPS link and QR code in seconds, with no account required.