Workshop › Snake › Step 2 of 28

Get the pen

What we are doing

The canvas itself cannot draw. We ask it for a 2D context: the object with all the drawing commands.

```js
const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d')
```

What it means

• canvas.getContext('2d') asks the canvas for its 2D drawing tools.
• We call it ctx (short for context); every drawing line will start with ctx.

Your turn

Write the line under const canvas = ..., then press Run.

Skills: Drawing on a canvas

← Find the canvas Paint the board →

All steps

1. Find the canvas
2. Get the pen
3. Paint the board
4. Think in cells
5. Keep the position in a variable
6. A function that draws
7. A function that moves
8. The game loop
9. Slow it down
10. A direction to move in
11. Steer with the arrow keys
12. A body made of a list
13. Move the whole body
14. Pick a spot for the food
15. Draw the food
16. Eat and grow
17. Never put food on the snake
18. A table of turns
19. No U-turns
20. Crash into the walls
21. Crash into yourself
22. The game over message
23. Show the score
24. One function that starts a game
25. Play again with Space
26. Remember the best score
27. Speed up as you grow
28. Build it yourself: through the walls