Here’s a journey through the history of BYOB (Build Your Own Blocks), the visual programming language that helped bridge Scratch and Snap! with custom blocks, first-class procedures, and powerful ideas.
🧱 BYOB 1.0
Release: Early experimental version
Highlights: First version to support custom blocks
Why it’s special: It let kids create their own blocks – something Scratch didn’t support yet!
🧱 BYOB 2.0
Better custom block editor
Support for inputs (parameters) in blocks
Improved scripting performance
🧱 BYOB 2.0.2
Bug fixes and performance improvements
More stable version of 2.0
Improved procedure creation UI
⚙️ BYOB 2.99 Series
2.99.00: Introduced first-class procedures and early visual refinements
2.99.003: Minor internal updates, early feedback stage
2.99.007: UI tweaks and block expansion
2.99.026: Near-final beta before 3.0
⚙️ BYOB 2.99
Polished version of the 3.0 engine
Used in early classrooms
Custom block inputs became smarter and more flexible
🌟 BYOB 3.0
Major release with first-class lists and first-class procedures
Completely redesigned block editor
Used for advanced CS teaching
🌟 BYOB 3.0.1 – 3.0.9
Incremental updates and bug fixes
Improved block definitions, UI, and editor features
3.0.9: Visually close to Snap! 4
🧠 BYOB 3.1
Advanced features like continuations
Experimental ideas added
Rarely used outside advanced classes
🧠 BYOB 3.1.1
Final version before Snap!
Stable, powerful, and polished
Still works in modern SqueakJS builds
Run BYOB in Your Web Browser
Have an old project? Drag and drop it here! (.sb, .ypr, .xml chirp only!)
Why run BYOB online?
BYOB (Build Your Own Blocks) was a super cool version of Scratch that let you make your own blocks! That meant you could build your own commands, just like real programmers do. Back then, most coding tools for kids didn't let you do that — you could only use the blocks they gave you. But BYOB changed that! It let you be more creative, build bigger and smarter projects, and even learn computer science ideas like loops, functions, and more. It was like leveling up from Scratch and feeling like a real coding wiz! BYOB was fun, powerful, and way ahead of its time!
No installing - just open and play!
Saves your projects right in your browser (or download them!)
Works on any computer - Mac, Windows, Linux, even school Chromebooks!
Super fast to load and easy to share with friends
Still looks and feels like the classic BYOB you love
Safe and sandboxed - it stays in the browser!
It's like BYOB moved into the future, but kept its old-school magic!
Ok, as a little goodie, I've converted and added Jens Moenig's "Chirp" Scratch mod. Chirp is a precursor to BYOB, adding features like XML export, and context menu block changes.