Now open source! Used to generate my puzzle "Refinement Protocol" for the 2025 Microsoft Puzzle Safari
This is a "two-phase" nonogram puzzle generator. These are the instructions provided to players:
LUMON INDUSTRIES — MACRODATA REFINEMENT DIVISION
Refiners, your next data sequence requires completion in two phases:
Phase 01: Apply foundation protocol by shading cells according to the BLACK sequences.
Phase 02: Fill remaining cells, then perform refinement by erasing cells according to the RED sequences.
Refer to the employee handbook for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonogram
Note: Refinement tools (pencil and eraser) suggested. This work is mysterious and important.
Run with no arguments to enter 'new puzzle' mode, or pass an existing puzzle through standard input to view/modify an existing puzzle. See examples on file format.
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
# Start from scratch
python squared_away.py
# Restore an existing puzzle
cat nonogram_puzzle_1.txt | python squared_away.py
- Click on individual cells to shade.
- To move to the next phase, tap spacebar
nonogram_puzzle.txtis generated
The black numbered clues are for the first phase, and the red numbered clues for the second.

