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Version: Stable

QR Codes

QR codes can be used as Zaparoo tokens, just like an NFC tag. A QR code can store ZapScript directly, and Zaparoo runs that ZapScript when the code is scanned.

Zaparoo launch QR code printed beside a game entry in a book

Elphive added Zaparoo launch codes to a retro gaming book and shared the result in the Showcase gallery.

QR code generator

Use the generator below to create QR codes with your ZapScript:

Any standard QR code generator also works. Paste the ZapScript into its text field and turn off link tracking if the generator offers it.

QR codes cost nothing to print. If you'd rather have durable cards, the Zaparoo Shop stocks pre-printed NFC cards.

Zaparoo App

The Zaparoo App can scan QR codes with your phone's camera. If Launch on scan (Pro) is enabled, the app sends the scanned ZapScript to Zaparoo Core over WiFi. This avoids hard-coding your Core device's IP address into every QR code.

Examples

Launch a random Genesis game

**launch.random:genesis

Exit to the menu

**launch.system:menu

Launch Metal Slug for Neo Geo

NeoGeo/mslug.zip

Phone camera URL

You can also make a QR code that opens Zaparoo Core's launch endpoint directly from a normal phone camera app. Use this format:

http://<IP ADDRESS>:7497/run/<ZAPSCRIPT>

Replace <IP ADDRESS> with your Core device's IP address and <ZAPSCRIPT> with the ZapScript you want to run. When your phone opens the URL, Core treats it like a token scan.

Warning

Phone-camera URLs depend on your Core device's IP address. If the IP address changes, you need to update the QR codes.

Remote launch requests also have to match a pattern in Core's allow_run setting in the [service] section of the config file. With no patterns set, every remote launch is refused. If you do not want to enable remote launch URLs, use the Zaparoo App scanning option instead.

Examples

Launch a random Genesis game

http://192.168.0.123:7497/run/**launch.random:genesis

Exit to the menu

http://192.168.0.123:7497/run/**launch.system:menu

Launch Metal Slug for Neo Geo

http://192.168.0.123:7497/run/NeoGeo/mslug.zip