# clojure-mode

> major-mode for editing Clojure source code

**Wikidata**: [Q113170846](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113170846)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clojure-mode

## Summary

**clojure-mode** is a major mode for editing Clojure source code in GNU Emacs, written in Emacs Lisp. It provides syntax highlighting, indentation, and other editing features tailored for the Clojure programming language, and is distributed as free software under the GNU project.

## Key Facts

- **Purpose**: A major mode for editing Clojure source code in GNU Emacs.
- **Programming Language**: Written in Emacs Lisp, a dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs.
- **License**: Distributed as free software, allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it.
- **Platform**: Runs on GNU Emacs and is compatible with BSD operating systems.
- **Inception**: First released in 2007.
- **Copyright Holder**: Philip N. Hagelberg held the copyright from 2007 to 2013.
- **Part of**: NonGNU ELPA (Emacs Lisp Package Archive) since August 9, 2021.
- **Versions**:
  - **5.20.0** (stable, released May 27, 2025)
  - **5.19.0** (stable, released May 26, 2024)
  - **5.18.1** (stable, released November 24, 2023)
  - **5.18.0** (stable, released October 18, 2023)
  - **5.17.1** (stable, released October 12, 2023)
  - **5.17.0** (stable, released September 11, 2023)
  - **5.16.2** (stable, released August 23, 2023)
  - **5.16.1** (stable, released June 26, 2023)
  - **5.16.0** (stable, released December 14, 2022)
  - **5.15.1** (stable, released July 30, 2022)
  - **5.15.0** (stable, released July 19, 2022)
  - **5.14.0** (stable, released March 8, 2022)
  - **5.13.0** (stable, released August 9, 2021)
- **Aliases**: Also known as emacs-clojure-mode, elpa-clojure-mode, and clojure-mode.el.
- **Website**: Hosted on GitHub at [github.com/clojure-emacs/clojure-mode](http://github.com/clojure-emacs/clojure-mode).
- **Source Code Repository**: Available on GNU Savannah at [git.savannah.gnu.org](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/?h=elpa/clojure-mode).
- **Distribution**: Available via NonGNU ELPA, Debian (clojure-mode package), Ubuntu (elpa-clojure-mode), Gentoo (app-emacs/clojure-mode), and Guix (emacs-clojure-mode).
- **Related Software**: Requires or runs on BSD and is related to typed-clojure-mode.
- **Movement**: Part of the free software movement.

## FAQs

**What is clojure-mode?**
clojure-mode is a major mode for GNU Emacs that provides specialized editing features for Clojure source code, including syntax highlighting and indentation.

**Who created clojure-mode?**
The initial copyright holder was Philip N. Hagelberg, who held the copyright from 2007 to 2013.

**What platforms does clojure-mode support?**
clojure-mode runs on GNU Emacs and is compatible with BSD operating systems.

**Where can I download clojure-mode?**
clojure-mode is available through NonGNU ELPA, Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, and Guix package managers. The source code is hosted on GNU Savannah and GitHub.

**What are the latest versions of clojure-mode?**
The latest stable version is 5.20.0, released on May 27, 2025. Previous versions include 5.19.0 (2024), 5.18.1 (2023), and others dating back to 2021.

**Is clojure-mode free software?**
Yes, clojure-mode is distributed as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely.

## Why It Matters

clojure-mode is significant because it enhances the editing experience for Clojure developers using GNU Emacs, one of the most popular text editors among programmers. By providing specialized features like syntax highlighting and indentation, it streamlines the process of writing and maintaining Clojure code. As part of the free software movement, clojure-mode embodies the principles of open-source software, enabling collaboration and customization. Its integration with NonGNU ELPA and various Linux distributions ensures wide accessibility, making it a valuable tool for the Clojure community.

## Notable For

- **Specialized Editing**: Provides tailored features for editing Clojure source code in GNU Emacs.
- **Free Software**: Distributed under terms that allow free use, modification, and distribution.
- **Wide Availability**: Available through multiple package managers, including NonGNU ELPA, Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, and Guix.
- **Long History**: First released in 2007, with continuous updates and improvements.
- **Compatibility**: Runs on GNU Emacs and BSD operating systems.
- **Active Development**: Regularly updated with new versions, the latest being 5.20.0 in 2025.

## Body

### Overview
clojure-mode is a major mode for GNU Emacs designed to facilitate the editing of Clojure source code. It is written in Emacs Lisp, a dialect of Lisp specifically used in GNU Emacs. As a major mode, it provides specialized features such as syntax highlighting, indentation, and other editing aids tailored for Clojure, a dialect of the Lisp programming language.

### History and Development
clojure-mode was first released in 2007, coinciding with the inception of the Clojure programming language. The initial copyright holder was Philip N. Hagelberg, who maintained the copyright from 2007 to 2013. Since then, clojure-mode has undergone continuous development, with regular updates and new versions released to improve functionality and compatibility.

### Features and Functionality
clojure-mode offers a range of features designed to enhance the editing experience for Clojure developers. These include:
- **Syntax Highlighting**: Differentiates between various elements of Clojure code, such as keywords, functions, and strings.
- **Indentation**: Automatically indents code to follow Clojure's formatting conventions.
- **Integration with Emacs**: Leverages the powerful editing capabilities of GNU Emacs, such as keybindings, macros, and extensibility.

### Distribution and Availability
clojure-mode is distributed as free software, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely. It is part of the NonGNU ELPA (Emacs Lisp Package Archive) since August 9, 2021, ensuring easy installation and updates through Emacs' package manager. Additionally, clojure-mode is available through various Linux distributions, including:
- **Debian**: As the `clojure-mode` source package and `elpa-clojure-mode` stable package.
- **Ubuntu**: As `elpa-clojure-mode` and `elpa-clojure-mode-extra-font-locking`.
- **Gentoo**: As `app-emacs/clojure-mode`.
- **Guix**: As `emacs-clojure-mode`.

### Versions and Updates
clojure-mode has seen numerous stable releases, with the latest being version 5.20.0, released on May 27, 2025. Other notable versions include:
- **5.19.0** (May 26, 2024)
- **5.18.1** (November 24, 2023)
- **5.18.0** (October 18, 2023)
- **5.17.1** (October 12, 2023)
- **5.17.0** (September 11, 2023)
- **5.16.2** (August 23, 2023)
- **5.16.1** (June 26, 2023)
- **5.16.0** (December 14, 2022)
- **5.15.1** (July 30, 2022)
- **5.15.0** (July 19, 2022)
- **5.14.0** (March 8, 2022)
- **5.13.0** (August 9, 2021)

### Source Code and Contribution
The source code for clojure-mode is hosted on GNU Savannah and GitHub. The primary repository is located at [git.savannah.gnu.org](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/?h=elpa/clojure-mode), with a mirror on GitHub at [github.com/clojure-emacs/clojure-mode](http://github.com/clojure-emacs/clojure-mode). This open-source nature encourages community contributions and ensures transparency in development.

### Related Projects and Dependencies
clojure-mode is related to several other projects and dependencies, including:
- **typed-clojure-mode**: A related mode for editing Typed Clojure code.
- **BSD**: Compatible with BSD operating systems.
- **Emacs Lisp**: The programming language in which clojure-mode is written.
- **Clojure**: The programming language for which clojure-mode provides editing support.

### Community and Support
clojure-mode is part of the broader free software movement, which advocates for the freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute software. The community around clojure-mode includes developers, users, and contributors who collaborate to improve the mode and ensure its continued relevance. Support and discussions can be found on various platforms, including mailing lists and GitHub issues.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Emacs Lisp.
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs.
- **Operating System**: Compatible with BSD.
- **License**: Free software.
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted, with initial copyright held by Philip N. Hagelberg from 2007 to 2013.

### Installation and Usage
To install clojure-mode, users can utilize the package managers of their respective Linux distributions or install it directly from NonGNU ELPA within GNU Emacs. Once installed, clojure-mode can be activated by opening a Clojure source file or manually invoking the mode within Emacs. The mode provides immediate benefits such as syntax highlighting and indentation, making it an essential tool for Clojure developers using Emacs.

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/clojure-mode.html)
2. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/clojure-mode.el?h=elpa/clojure-mode)
3. [Clojure-Mode version 5.15.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-07/msg00060.html)
4. [Clojure-Mode version 5.14.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-03/msg00015.html)
5. [Clojure-Mode version 5.13.0. 2021](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2021-08/msg00044.html)
6. [Clojure-Mode version 5.15.1. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-07/msg00078.html)
7. [Clojure-Mode version 5.16.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-12/msg00042.html)
8. [Clojure-Mode version 5.16.1. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-06/msg00048.html)
9. [Clojure-Mode version 5.16.2. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-08/msg00044.html)
10. [Clojure-Mode version 5.17.0. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-09/msg00031.html)
11. [Clojure-Mode version 5.17.1. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-10/msg00035.html)
12. [Clojure-Mode version 5.18.0. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-10/msg00057.html)
13. [Clojure-Mode version 5.18.1. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-11/msg00063.html)
14. [[NonGNU ELPA] Clojure-Mode version 5.19.0. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-05/msg00062.html)
15. [[NonGNU ELPA] Clojure-Mode version 5.20.0. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-05/msg00051.html)
16. [[NonGNU ELPA] Clojure-Mode version 5.21.0. 2026](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2026-02/msg00046.html)
17. [[NonGNU ELPA] Clojure-Mode version 5.22.0. 2026](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2026-03/msg00016.html)
18. [[NonGNU ELPA] Clojure-Mode version 5.23.0. 2026](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2026-03/msg00056.html)