Estuary is a zero-install browser platform for collaborative live coding in networked ensembles

Estuary (estuary.mcmaster.ca) is an open-source browser application that lets multiple performers live-code music and visuals together — either in the same room or distributed globally — without installing any software beyond a web browser. It hosts several mini-languages (TidalCycles/MiniTidal, Punctual, CineCer0, Hydra, Seis8s, TimeNot) in a single environment, with a shared projectional workspace, built-in tutorials, and a networked tempo that all participants follow. The platform is actively maintained by the McMaster University research group (David Ogborn et al.) and runs 24/7 at estuary.mcmaster.ca. A common misconception is that Estuary requires SuperCollider or local installation — it runs entirely in the browser via WebAudio and GHCJS-compiled Haskell.

Examples

Navigate to estuary.mcmaster.ca, create or join a named ensemble room, select MiniTidal in a code zone and evaluate s "bd cp" — all participants hear it immediately without installing anything.

Assessment

Explain what makes Estuary different from running TidalCycles locally; identify at least two languages available inside it and describe the zero-install deployment model.