# Docutils

> text processing system for reStructuredText

**Wikidata**: [Q105944812](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105944812)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/docutils

## Summary
Docutils is a text processing system designed specifically for reStructuredText, a lightweight markup language. It is free software written in Python that converts reStructuredText files to various output formats.

## Key Facts
- Docutils is a text processing system specifically designed for reStructuredText
- It is free software distributed under multiple licenses including Python Software Foundation License, 2-clause BSD License, and GNU General Public License version 3.0
- It is implemented entirely in Python
- It is cross-platform, capable of running on multiple computing systems
- Current version is 0.22.4, released December 18, 2025
- It is available as a Python package named "docutils" on PyPI
- Its official website is https://docutils.sourceforge.io/
- Source code is maintained in a repository at https://svn.code.sf.net/p/docutils/code/trunk using Apache Subversion
- It is part of the broader Python ecosystem for technical documentation

## FAQs
### Q: What is Docutils used for?
A: Docutils is used as a text processing system specifically for reStructuredText, converting markup-laden plain text into various output formats like HTML, PDF, and other document types.

### Q: Is Docutils free software?
A: Yes, Docutils is free software distributed under multiple open-source licenses including Python Software Foundation License, 2-clause BSD License, and GNU General Public License version 3.0.

### Q: What platforms does Docutils work on?
A: Docutils is cross-platform, meaning it can run on multiple computing platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux and other operating systems without modification.

### Q: How is Docutils installed?
A: Docutils is available as a Python package through PyPI and is also packaged for various Linux distributions like Arch Linux (python-docutils) and openSUSE (python-docutils).

## Why It Matters
Docutils matters because it provides the essential infrastructure for processing reStructuredText, a popular markup language in technical documentation and open-source projects. As the core processing system for reStructuredText, it enables developers and technical writers to create documentation that can be transformed into multiple formats. Its cross-platform nature and multiple licensing options make it accessible across different environments and development philosophies. In the Python ecosystem specifically, Docutils supports documentation needs for countless projects, making it fundamental to how technical information is created, shared, and consumed.

## Notable For
- Being the primary processing system for reStructuredText, a widely used markup language
- Its cross-platform compatibility that ensures functionality across different operating systems
- Multiple licensing options that accommodate different open-source preferences
- Its availability through multiple package managers including PyPI, Arch Linux, openSUSE, Homebrew, and MacPorts
- Active development with regular releases (including version 0.22.4 in December 2025)

## Body
### Overview
Docutils is a text processing system specifically designed for reStructuredText, serving as the foundation for converting markup-laden text into various output formats.

### Technical Specifications
- Programming language: Python
- License: Multiple licenses including Python Software Foundation License, 2-clause BSD License, and GNU General Public License version 3.0
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Source code repository: https://svn.code.sf.net/p/docutils/code/trunk (Apache Subversion)
- Writable file format: reStructuredText format

### Version Information
- Current version: 0.22.4 (released December 18, 2025)
- Previous version: 0.20.1 (released May 17, 2023)

### Distribution Channels
- PyPI project name: docutils
- Arch Linux package: python-docutils
- openSUSE package: python-docutils
- Homebrew formula: docutils
- MacPorts port: py-docutils
- Repology project: docutils

### Platform Support
- Operating system: Cross-platform (compatible with multiple computing platforms)
- Implementation specifically for: reStructuredText processing

## References

1. [Source](https://pypi.org/project/docutils/)
2. [Source](https://docutils.sourceforge.io/RELEASE-NOTES.txt)
3. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/p/docutils/mailman/message/59274474/)
4. [Source](https://docutils.sourceforge.io/RELEASE-NOTES.html#release-0-22-4-2025-12-18)