Config File Format (`.sha.json`)¶

This page describes the raw JSON config format. Most users will find it easier to use the Config panel in the UI instead — this reference is for those who prefer editing the file directly.

Naming Convention¶

The config file must share the same base name as your shader:

Shader file: example.glsl
Config file: example.sha.json

Place them in the same directory. To generate a config automatically, run Shader Studio: Generate Config for GLSL File from the command palette.

Basic Example¶

A single-pass shader with no inputs:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {}
    }
  }
}

Multi-Pass Example¶

Image reads from an arbitrarily named Simulation pass, which reads keyboard input:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel0": { "source": "Simulation", "type": "buffer" }
      }
    },
    "Simulation": {
      "path": "simulation.glsl",
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel1": { "type": "keyboard" }
      }
    }
  }
}

Texture Input Example¶

Bind an image file to a channel:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel0": { "path": "textures/noise.png", "type": "texture" }
      }
    }
  }
}

Video Input Example¶

Bind a video file:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel0": { "path": "videos/timelapse.mp4", "type": "video" }
      }
    }
  }
}

Audio Input Example¶

Bind an audio file. The texture provides FFT frequency data (row 0) and waveform data (row 1), matching Shadertoy's audio format:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel0": {
          "type": "audio",
          "path": "music/track.mp3",
          "startTime": 0,
          "endTime": 30
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Access in GLSL:

float fft  = texture(iChannel0, vec2(uv.x, 0.25)).r; // FFT row
float wave = texture(iChannel0, vec2(uv.x, 0.75)).r;  // Waveform row

Cubemap Input Example¶

Bind a T-cross layout cubemap image. The channel is bound as a samplerCube:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "inputs": {
        "iChannel0": {
          "type": "cubemap",
          "path": "textures/skybox.png",
          "filter": "mipmap"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Access in GLSL (channel must be declared as samplerCube):

vec4 col = texture(iChannel0, normalize(dir));

Script-Driven Uniforms¶

Add a script field to run a TypeScript or JavaScript file that computes custom uniform values each frame. The script exports named values; their types are inferred automatically:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "script": "uniforms.ts",
  "scriptMaxPollingFps": 30,
  "passes": {
    "Image": { "inputs": {} }
  }
}

Example uniforms.ts:

export const uSpeed: float = iTime * 0.5;
export const uColor: vec3 = [Math.sin(iTime), 0.5, 1.0];

Available context variables: iTime, iFrame, iResolution, iMouse, iDate, iChannelTime, iSampleRate.

Supported uniform types: float, vec2, vec3, vec4, bool.

Resolution Settings¶

Pin a resolution to the config so it applies whenever the shader is opened:

{
  "version": "1.0",
  "passes": {
    "Image": {
      "resolution": {
        "scale": 1,
        "aspectRatio": "16:9"
      },
      "inputs": {}
    }
  }
}

Fixed pixel dimensions:

"resolution": {
  "width": 1920,
  "height": 1080
}

Fixed dimensions are the base size. scale still applies if you set both:

"resolution": {
  "scale": 2,
  "width": 320,
  "height": 180
}

This renders at 640 × 360.

Buffer passes use a simpler fixed-size resolution:

"Flow": {
  "path": "flow.glsl",
  "resolution": { "width": 512, "height": 512 }
}

Passes¶

Pass	Description
Image	Main output pass (required, always present)
Any identifier	An intermediate fragment pass. Names and pass counts are unrestricted; each renders to a texture other passes can read.
Compute*	A Slang/WebGPU compute pass. See Compute Passes.
Common	Shared GLSL or Slang code included in all passes. Useful for shared functions, types, and constants.

Each non-Image pass needs a path field pointing to its .glsl or .slang file. If the file doesn't exist, the visual editor offers a button to create it.

Channel Types¶

Each pass can bind up to 16 input channels (iChannel0 through iChannel15):

Type	Fields	Description
`buffer`	`source`, optional `layer`	Read from an arbitrary fragment buffer pass or a compute pass (the reference allocates its output texture); `common` and `Image` are not sources, and `layer` selects a compute texture-array layer
`texture`	`path`, `filter`, `wrap`, `vflip`, `grayscale`	Image file
`video`	`path`, `filter`, `wrap`, `vflip`, `muted`	Video file
`audio`	`path`, `startTime`, `endTime`, `muted`	Audio file with FFT/waveform texture
`cubemap`	`path`, `filter`, `wrap`, `vflip`	T-cross cubemap image
`keyboard`	—	Key state input texture

Texture / Video / Cubemap Options¶

Field	Values	Description
`filter`	`mipmap` (default), `linear`, `nearest`	Texture filtering
`wrap`	`clamp` (default), `repeat`	Edge wrap mode
`vflip`	`true` / `false`	Flip vertically
`grayscale`	`true` / `false`	Texture only: convert to greyscale
`muted`	`true` / `false`	Video and audio only: start the channel muted (default `false`)

Buffer Self-Read¶

A buffer can read its own previous frame's output by binding itself as an input:

{
  "Feedback": {
    "path": "feedback.glsl",
    "inputs": {
      "iChannel0": { "source": "Feedback", "type": "buffer" }
    }
  }
}

This is how Shadertoy-style feedback effects work (trails, fluid simulations, game of life).

File Paths¶

Paths in the config are relative to the config file's directory. Keep all referenced files (buffer .glsl files, textures, videos, audio) in the same directory or subdirectories.

Config File Format (.sha.json)¶