# emacs-persist

> software package for Emacs that provides variables which persist across sessions

**Wikidata**: [Q127066341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127066341)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emacs-persist

## Summary
Emacs-persist is a free software package for GNU Emacs that provides persistent variables across sessions, allowing users to maintain state between Emacs launches. Developed by Phillip Lord, it is distributed via GNU ELPA and is written in Emacs Lisp.

## Key Facts
- **Creator**: Phillip Lord, a computer scientist and lecturer at Newcastle University.
- **First release**: June 27, 2019 (initial commit).
- **Latest stable version**: 0.8 (released October 11, 2025).
- **License**: Free software (distributed under GNU ELPA terms).
- **Programming language**: Emacs Lisp (inception: 1985).
- **Distribution**: Available on GNU ELPA, Debian, Ubuntu, and Gentoo.
- **Maintainers**: Initially by Phillip Lord (2019), later by Joseph Turner (2024).
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs (only).
- **Aliases**: persist, persist-el, elpa-persist.

## FAQs
### Q: What problem does emacs-persist solve?
A: It allows Emacs users to maintain variable state between sessions, preserving settings and configurations across restarts.

### Q: How is emacs-persist distributed?
A: It is available on GNU ELPA, Debian (as `persist-el`), Ubuntu (as `elpa-persist`), and Gentoo (as `app-emacs/persist`).

### Q: Who maintains emacs-persist?
A: Initially maintained by Phillip Lord (2019), with Joseph Turner taking over in 2024.

### Q: Is emacs-persist free software?
A: Yes, it is distributed under free software terms, allowing users to run, study, modify, and redistribute it.

### Q: What versions of emacs-persist are available?
A: Versions 0.1 through 0.8 are available, with the latest stable release being 0.8 (October 11, 2025).

## Why It Matters
Emacs-persist addresses a common pain point for Emacs users by enabling persistent state across sessions. This is particularly useful for developers and power users who rely on custom configurations and workflows. By maintaining variables between launches, it enhances productivity and reduces the need to reconfigure settings manually. The package is part of the broader GNU ELPA ecosystem, ensuring compatibility and ease of distribution. Its development reflects the collaborative nature of free software, with contributions from multiple maintainers over time. For Emacs users who value consistency and automation, emacs-persist provides a critical tool for maintaining a seamless editing experience.

## Notable For
- **First release**: One of the earliest packages in the GNU ELPA repository (June 29, 2019).
- **Cross-platform availability**: Packaged for Debian, Ubuntu, and Gentoo, ensuring broad accessibility.
- **Maintainer transition**: Shifted from Phillip Lord to Joseph Turner in 2024, demonstrating long-term community engagement.
- **Stable releases**: Regular updates, including minor versions like 0.6.1 (June 15, 2024) and 0.8 (October 11, 2025).
- **Free software compliance**: Adheres to GNU ELPA’s licensing standards, ensuring free redistribution and modification.

## Body
### Overview
Emacs-persist is a free software package for GNU Emacs that provides persistent variables across sessions. It was developed by Phillip Lord and first released on June 27, 2019. The package is distributed via GNU ELPA and is written in Emacs Lisp, the dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs since 1985.

### Development and Releases
The initial commit was made on June 27, 2019, with the first stable version (0.1) released on June 29, 2019. Subsequent versions were released in July 2019 (0.2–0.4) and September 2022 (0.5). The latest stable version, 0.8, was released on October 11, 2025. The package has undergone several updates, including minor versions like 0.6.1 (June 15, 2024) and 0.7 (September 30, 2025).

### Distribution and Packaging
Emacs-persist is available on GNU ELPA, Debian (as `persist-el`), Ubuntu (as `elpa-persist`), and Gentoo (as `app-emacs/persist`). It is also included in the NixOS package manager under the name `emacs-persist`. The source code is hosted on GNU Savannah, with repositories available via cgit and Gitweb.

### Maintainers
The package was initially maintained by Phillip Lord (2019) and later by Joseph Turner (2024). This transition reflects the package’s long-term support and community involvement.

### Technical Details
- **Programming language**: Emacs Lisp.
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs (only).
- **Aliases**: persist, persist-el, elpa-persist.
- **Copyright holder**: GNU Project.
- **Operating system**: GNU/Linux (primary target).

### Related Entities
- **Free software**: Distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.
- **Emacs Lisp**: The dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs, first developed in 1985.

Emacs-persist is a specialized tool within the broader GNU Emacs ecosystem, addressing the need for persistent state management. Its development and distribution demonstrate the collaborative and open-source nature of the Emacs community.

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/persist.html)
2. [Initial checkin](https://gitlab.com/phillord/persist/-/commit/0c3b64fca7e10caae329ea53800c8c913490bf62)
3. [Source](https://gitlab.com/phillord/persist/-/tree/0c3b64fca7e10caae329ea53800c8c913490bf62)
4. [[GNU ELPA] persist version 0.1. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2019-06/msg00019.html)
5. [[GNU ELPA] persist version 0.2. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2019-07/msg00002.html)
6. [[GNU ELPA] persist version 0.3. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2019-07/msg00003.html)
7. [[GNU ELPA] persist version 0.4. 2019](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2019-07/msg00006.html)
8. [[GNU ELPA] Persist version 0.5. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-09/msg00038.html)
9. [[GNU ELPA] Persist version 0.6. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-01/msg00023.html)
10. [[GNU ELPA] Persist version 0.6.1. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-06/msg00030.html)
11. [[GNU ELPA] Persist version 0.7. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-09/msg00060.html)
12. [[GNU ELPA] Persist version 0.8. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-10/msg00015.html)
13. [Source](https://gitlab.com/phillord/persist/-/commits/master/?ref_type=HEADS)
14. [Source](https://packages.debian.org/source/bookworm/persist-el)