# scad-mode

> Emacs major mode for editing OpenSCAD code

**Wikidata**: [Q115287395](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115287395)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/scad-mode

## Summary
Scad-mode is an Emacs major mode specifically designed for editing OpenSCAD code, enabling developers to work with the 3D modeling language using Emacs' powerful editing environment. Created by Leonard E. Trigg in 2010, it provides syntax highlighting and other specialized features for OpenSCAD development.

## Key Facts
- Scad-mode was created by Leonard E. Trigg in 2010
- Written in Emacs Lisp programming language
- Licensed under GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later
- Latest stable version is 98.0 (2026-01-17)
- Available through package managers NonGNU ELPA and MELPA
- Cross-platform software that runs on GNU Emacs
- Maintained by Leonard E. Trigg and Daniel Mendler
- Source code available on GitHub and GNU Savannah
- Has issue tracking on GitHub for bug reports and feature requests

## FAQs
### Q: What is scad-mode?
A: Scad-mode is an Emacs major mode for editing OpenSCAD code. It provides syntax highlighting and other features specifically designed for the OpenSCAD 3D modeling language.

### Q: Who created scad-mode?
A: Scad-mode was created by Leonard E. Trigg in 2010, with continued maintenance by Leonard E. Trigg and Daniel Mendler.

### Q: How can I install scad-mode?
A: Scad-mode is available through package managers like NonGNU ELPA and MELPA within Emacs. You can also install it manually from the GitHub repository.

### Q: What license is scad-mode released under?
A: Scad-mode is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.

### Q: What platforms does scad-mode support?
A: Scad-mode is cross-platform and runs on GNU Emacs, which is available on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Why It Matters
Scad-mode is significant as it provides specialized editing support for the OpenSCAD 3D modeling language within the Emacs environment. It enables developers and designers to write, edit, and manage OpenSCAD code with enhanced features like syntax highlighting, making the development process more efficient. As OpenSCAD is a popular open-source tool for creating 3D models with code, scad-mode plays an important role in the 3D modeling and CAD communities by improving the workflow for those who prefer Emacs as their text editor.

## Notable For
- One of the first specialized editing modes specifically for OpenSCAD code
- Continuously maintained since 2010 with regular version updates
- Available through multiple package managers (NonGNU ELPA, MELPA)
- Supports the full OpenSCAD language with syntax highlighting
- Has a dedicated community with issue tracking and regular updates

## Body
### Creation and Development
- Scad-mode was created by Leonard E. Trigg in 2010
- Initial implementation was announced on March 31, 2010
- The project has been continuously maintained since inception
- Leonard E. Trigg (also known as Len Trigg) has been the main maintainer since 2010
- Daniel Mendler has also contributed to maintenance

### Technical Specifications
- Written entirely in Emacs Lisp
- Functions as a major mode within GNU Emacs
- Requires GNU Emacs to run
- Supports cross-platform operation on various operating systems

### Licensing and Distribution
- Distributed under GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later
- Copyright status: copyrighted
- Available through multiple distribution channels:
  - NonGNU ELPA package manager (since November 2022)
  - MELPA package manager
  - Direct download from GitHub

### Version History
- Version 93.0 (2022-11-11): Early modern release
- Version 93.1 (2022-11-12): First stable release on NonGNU ELPA
- Version 93.2 (2022-12-28): Bug fixes and improvements
- Version 93.3 (2024-02-16): Enhanced features
- Version 94.0 (2024-05-23): Major update
- Version 95.0 (2025-01-02): Continued development
- Version 96.0 (2025-01-28): Feature additions
- Version 97.0 (2025-07-28): Recent improvements
- Version 98.0 (2026-01-17): Latest stable version

### Installation and Availability
- Available as NonGNU ELPA package with ID: emacsPackages.scad-mode
- MELPA package ID: scad-mode
- Gentoo package name: app-emacs/scad-mode
- Guix variable name: emacs-scad-mode
- Source code available on GitHub: https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode
- Also available on GNU Savannah: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/?h=elpa/scad-mode
- Issue tracking available at: https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/issues

### Features and Functionality
- Provides syntax highlighting for OpenSCAD code
- Functions as a major mode within Emacs
- Supports editing of OpenSCAD files (.scad extension)
- Part of the Emacs Lisp ecosystem

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/scad-mode.html)
2. [Initial implementation of an emacs mode for scad files. 2010](https://forum.openscad.org/Initial-implementation-of-an-emacs-mode-for-scad-files-td293.html)
3. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/scad-mode.el?h=elpa/scad-mode)
4. [Source](https://github.com/openscad/openscad/blob/master/contrib/scad-mode.el)
5. [Scad-Mode version 93.1. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-11/msg00033.html)
6. [Release 93.0. 2022](https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/releases/tag/93.0)
7. [Scad-Mode version 93.2. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-12/msg00080.html)
8. [Release 93.3. 2024](https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/releases/tag/93.3)
9. [Scad-Mode version 93.3. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-02/msg00050.html)
10. [Release 94.0. 2024](https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/releases/tag/94.0)
11. [[NonGNU ELPA] Scad-Mode version 94.0. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-05/msg00054.html)
12. [[NonGNU ELPA] Scad-Mode version 95.0. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-01/msg00007.html)
13. [Release 96.0. 2025](https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/releases/tag/96.0)
14. [[NonGNU ELPA] Scad-Mode version 96.0. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-01/msg00052.html)
15. [[NonGNU ELPA] Scad-Mode version 97.0. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-07/msg00050.html)
16. [[NonGNU ELPA] Scad-Mode version 98.0. 2026](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2026-01/msg00060.html)
17. [Source](https://github.com/openscad/emacs-scad-mode/blob/main/scad-mode.el)