Slitherlink Interactive

Slitherlink puzzles can be played interactively on the computer, offering many features and advantages compared to pencil and paper. This section explains everything about how to play Slitherlink on the computer. If you are not yet familiar with the puzzle rules, please go to Slitherlink rules.

Drawing and excluding links

Slitherlink Interactive is played by linking pairs of dots around clues. First click links dots with a line, second click marks X to indicate link is excluded and the third click brings path back to its original state.

Completing clues

When all paths around a clue are accounted for, the clue will change color to indicate it is completed.

Highlighting loop segments

Highlighting a loop segment is helpful when checking whether two loops are about to occur. To highlight a loop segment, click mouse on any of the clues belonging to the segment.

Toolbar

All game functions are accessed through the toolbar. For some toolbar buttons, keyboard shortcut keys are also available as listed below. Toolbar may be positioned horizontally or vertically using the rotate button on the left edge, and relocated anywhere in the game by dragging its frame.

Zoom in

Enlarge small puzzles for best viewing on your screen.

Zoom out

Reduce large puzzles for best fit on your screen.

Undo (Keyboard: U)

Go back as many steps in the game as you want.

Redo (Keyboard: R)

Go forward after using Undo as many steps as you want.

Restart puzzle

Restart puzzle to solve from the beginning.

Check puzzle (Keyboard: C)

Check all links and X markings for errors.

Progress

Show elapsed solving time.

Show solution

Show solution of the puzzle. Using this button will also end the game.

Preferences

Open Preferences dialog box. New preferences will be automatically saved on the computer.

Show errors: Check this box to automatically show link errors during the game. Link errors are shown if the number of links around a clue is correct and one or more links are wrong, or if all paths around a clue are accounted for and there is one or more error.
Auto complete: Check this box to automatically mark with X remaining paths around a clue when the number of links is correct.
Auto exclude: Check this box to automatically exclude blocked paths.
Sound on: Check this box to turn sound on.

About

Open About dialog box to see puzzle size, difficulty, ID, title and other information.

Help

Open Slitherlink Interactive page you are reading now.

Print options

Open Print dialog box. New print options will be automatically saved on the computer.

Print

Puzzle: Select to print puzzle.
Solution: Select to print solution.
Current state: Select to print current solution state.

Scaling

Preferred image scale: Reduce or enlarge printout.
Attempt to reduce to page: Check this box to fit large puzzles on a single page. When this box is unchecked, large puzzles will print in multiple pages according to selected scaling.
Attempt to enlarge to page: Check this box to fit small puzzles on a whole page. When this box is unchecked, small puzzles will print according to selected scaling.
Select optimal orientation: Check this box to automatically select puzzle orientation.