Write with a little help.
Java syntax highlighting, code completion, and practical code assistance keep your next step close at hand.
Free & open-source · Built for beginners
Java development,
without the clutter.
An entry-level Java IDE for students, first-time programmers, and small projects. Java comes included in the desktop downloads—install or extract Lark, open it, and start coding.
Java included · Free to use · Windows, macOS & Linux
Recorded in Lark · 4.0.1
A silent recording of the real Lark IDE. Java code is typed into StudyTimer.java, calculating focus sessions and breaks. Run compiles the program and displays the completed study plan in Output.
Focused by design
Everything you need
to write Java.
Practical development tools for learning Java, without an overwhelming interface.
Published downloads are resolved from GitHub Releases. Lark 4.0.5 is available with Share reliability fixes and improved Java editing.
Run. Inspect. Understand.
Compile and run your project, set breakpoints, and explore variables with the built-in debugger.
Find problems as you go.
Live compilation feedback and targeted quick fixes help you catch mistakes while the code is still fresh.
Keep your bearings.
Project-wide search, a Code Structure panel, and the Command Palette help you move through your work.
Make room for better code.
Rename symbols, extract methods, and introduce variables with focused refactoring tools.
A project, neatly organized.
Create Java projects, manage files and folders, and keep related code together in the Explorer.
See the bigger picture
Tools that help the code click.
Learn one idea at a time. Try a snippet, see how classes connect, and understand what each decision does.
01 / Java AssistA useful starting point.
A useful starting point.
Your code from there.
Explore Java snippets, preview where they fit, and insert them into your code. A practical companion when you’re learning a concept or trying a new approach.
Placement previews and single-step undo are included in the 4.0.1 update.
02 / UML diagramsFrom classes
From classes
to connections.
Generate a UML class diagram from your Java project. See fields, methods, and class relationships together, without leaving the IDE.
Open Extras → UML diagram in Lark Desktop.
03 / Scratch · Available now
A small place
for your “what if?”
Scratch is a separate Java pad for quick experiments. Test a calculation, practice a loop, or check a new idea while your project stays open.
Write a few Java statements and press Run. Lark adds the surrounding class and main method for simple snippets, so you can focus on the idea you’re learning.
Learn how to use Scratch →
- 01
Try an idea
Open Scratch from the toolbar. Start with a formula, a condition, or a small loop.
- 02
See what happens
Run the snippet and read its own output. Change a value and run it again.
- 03
Keep what you learn
Name and revisit experiments in the Scratch deck. Copy useful code or promote it into a project class.
04 / Lark Flow Implemented in source
See where
your code can go.
An if statement has two directions. A loop comes back around. Lark Flow makes those connections visible by turning a Java method into an interactive flowchart.
Follow a decision from start to finish, connect each diagram node to its source, and make sense of nested logic a step at a time.
Explore the Flow preview →
- 01
Choose a method
View one method’s logic, then move out to the relationships between methods and classes.
- 02
Explore a path
Select a decision branch to highlight a possible route. Trace Path explores logic; it does not execute the program.
- 03
Connect it to the code
Click a node to select its Java statement. Pan, zoom, and export the diagram as PNG or SVG.
Implemented. Lark Flow is present in the codebase. Unsupported Java constructs are identified in the workspace; consult your installed release notes for availability.
Your next Java project starts here
Get Lark. Start building.
Plug-and-play for your first Java project. Choose a desktop package with Java already included.
Recommended · Windows x64
Lark Desktop
Setup installer · Published Windows installer · Java included
Published under release 4.0.5. Check its release notes before installing.
Download Windows installer ↓Release notes ↗Verified release information · October 31, 2026
Already using Lark?
Latest release notes ↗The latest release is 4.0.5. Full installers and updates are available. Choose the package for your operating system.
A small first step
From download
to your first Java program.
- 01
Download Lark
Choose your operating system. Install the Windows package or extract the ZIP. Java is bundled, so there is no separate JDK to set up.
- 02
Create a Java project
Open Lark, choose New project, and give it a name. Start with a sample or create your own Java class.
- 03
Write and run
Write your code, select a main class, and click Run. Your program’s output appears right below the editor.
Made in the open
Open source,
from the beginning.
Lark is developed openly. Explore the source code, report issues, and help improve the IDE.
MITYours to learn from.
Yours to learn from.
Yours to build on.
Free to use, study, and modify under the MIT license.
Read the license ↗Browse releases ↗The people behind Lark
Meet the team.
We’re a small team of students and developers building practical, open-source tools to make programming easier and more accessible.
Abhinav Singh Bhadouria
Quality Assurance Engineer
Tests, reviews, and improves our software to make sure it works as expected and stays reliable.
Emilia Fisher
Web Systems & Development
Builds and runs the web side of Lark, from the website to the systems behind it.
Treyvon Pearson
Founder
Leads product direction and software development, focused on making Lark easier to use and more accessible for students.
Reg Ramos
Product and Operations Manager
Coordinates development, manages projects, and keeps everything running smoothly.
Nick Foles
Marketing and Community Director
Builds our presence, shares our progress, and helps grow the Lark community.