Did You Know?
If you own Beat Saber, there's a good chance you already own the official Beat Saber level editor too.
Seriously.
You don't have to buy extra software or download a separate editor. And if you're a Quest player, you probably don't have to buy Beat Saber a second time either.
This is one of those things that's surprisingly easy once you know where to look... but finding out where to look is half the battle.
In this guide I'll show you how to access the official Beat Saber level editor on both Steam and Meta Quest (Cross-Buy), along with a few things you should know before you dive in.
What Is the Official Beat Saber Level Editor?
The official Beat Saber level editor is the tool used to create custom Beat Saber maps. The developers use it and so do mappers in the modding community.
With it you can:
- Place notes and obstacles
- Add lighting and events
- Test your maps
- Build full custom levels from scratch
If you're interested in learning Beat Saber mapping, this is where everything starts.
The editor is included with the PC version of Beat Saber but it just isn't immediately obvious how to launch it.
How to Open the Beat Saber Editor on Steam
If you own Beat Saber through Steam, launching the editor only takes a minute.
Step 1
Open your Steam Library and find Beat Saber.
Beat Saber in the Steam library.
Step 2
Navigate to the right side and click the settings icon and choose Properties.
Beat Saber properties under settings on Steam.
Step 3
Under the General tab, find the Launch Options box.
Type:
editor
Make sure it's all lowercase.
Beat Saber properties menu showing “editor” in the launch options.
Step 4
Close the Properties window and launch Beat Saber like you normally would. Instead of opening the game, it will launch directly into the official Beat Saber editor. That's it!
Timeline in the official Beat Saber Level Editor.
How to Access the Editor If You Own Beat Saber on Meta Quest
If you bought Beat Saber for your Quest headset, you'll first need to claim the PC version through Cross-Buy.
Thankfully, it's pretty straightforward.
Step 1
Install and open the Meta Horizon Link desktop application (formerly the Oculus PC app).
Searching Beat Saber in the Meta Quest Link app store.
Step 2
Open the Store and search for Beat Saber.
Instead of showing a purchase price, you should see a Get or Install button.
If you see the normal purchase price instead, double-check that you're signed into the same Meta account you used to buy Beat Saber on your headset.
Beat Saber showing get instead of the price in the Meta Quest store.
Step 3
Click Get to claim your PC copy, then install Beat Saber.
Once installation finishes, you're ready to enable the editor.
Launching the Editor (Meta Version)
After Beat Saber is installed through Meta Horizon Link:
Step 1
Open your Library (I have multiple versions installed, hence the five copies…).
App library in the Meta Quest Link app.
Step 2
Click the three dots (...) next to Beat Saber.
Choose Edit.
Beat Saber options in the Meta Quest Link app.
Step 3
Find the Launch Options box.
Type:
editor
All lowercase.
Beat Saber app info showing “editor” in the Meta Quest Link app.
Step 4
Launch Beat Saber normally.
Instead of opening the game, you'll be taken directly into the official level editor.
Beat Saber notes on a timeline in the level editor.
Common Questions
Q: Can Quest Players Use the Official Editor?
A: Yes!
This is probably the biggest misconception I see. Even if you primarily play Beat Saber on a Meta Quest headset, you can still use the official editor thanks to Cross-Buy.
That means if you purchased Beat Saber through the Meta Quest store, you also own the PC version through the Meta Horizon Link app.
So yes... You can absolutely create Beat Saber maps even if you're a Quest player.
Q: Do You Need a VR-Ready Gaming PC?
A: Surprisingly... not necessarily.
Depending on what you’re doing, the editor itself can be much less demanding than actually playing Beat Saber in VR.
Most of the time you're simply placing notes, editing lighting, and moving around a timeline. So if your computer has a reasonably modern processor, you'll probably be just fine.
The only time you'll really need more powerful hardware is if you want to put on your headset and playtest maps directly in VR.
Don't let the words "PC editor" scare you away if your computer isn't a gaming monster.
Q: Can I use a laptop?
A: Usually, yes.
As I mentioned above, the editor itself isn't especially demanding compared to Beat Saber in VR.
As long as your laptop has a decent CPU and meets Beat Saber's basic PC requirements, you'll likely have a perfectly usable mapping experience.
Q: Why doesn't the editor open?
A: Double-check that you typed: editor
It's case-sensitive enough that typing something else (or forgetting to save the launch option) can prevent it from working.
If you've recently updated Beat Saber, it's also worth restarting Steam or the Meta Horizon Link app before trying again.
Q: Can I make maps without VR?
A: Absolutely.
Almost all of the mapping process happens with your mouse and keyboard. VR is only really needed if you want to jump into your map and test it inside the headset.
What's Next?
Congratulations, you've officially made it into the editor which is where the real fun (and occasional confusion) begins.
If this is your first time opening it, don't worry if it feels overwhelming. I remember staring at all the buttons thinking I had accidentally launched spaceship software instead of a rhythm game.
The good news is that it gets much easier once you know what everything does.
Here are a few guides to help you get started next:
How to Start Mapping in Beat Saber
What Is Flow in Beat Saber Mapping?
Why Your Beat Saber Maps Feel Off
Before long you'll be placing your first notes, wondering why nothing lines up correctly, discovering you forgot to sync your audio... and officially becoming a Beat Saber mapper. Welcome to the club <3.