LuantiIDE M - Web IDE for Luanti Mod Development [WIP]

[crisdan]

LuantiIDE M

SpecializedIDE for Luanti (ex-Minetest) mod development
Designed to work on PC, tablet, and phone — no installation, no server required.



I present a new project for Luanti: LuantiIDE M.This is an initial presentation of the tool, still unfinished and currently under active development. The current version is v3, which already includes support for most of the features and functionality described in this presentation.

The project continues to evolve, and upon completion of version v5, it will be prepared for public release.



What is LuantiIDE M?

LuantiIDE M is a web-based development environment specialized in creating, editing, and organizing mods for Luanti (formerly known as Minetest).

It runs directly in the browser without requiring installation, compilation, or a local server, allowing development from PCs, tablets, and phones with an interface adapted to each device.

It is focused on the Luanti development ecosystem, including support for Lua as the primary scripting language, along with tools for C++, JSON, Markdown, GLSL, Python, and shell scripting.



Main Features

File and Folder Explorer

• Create new files with custom names
• Create folders and nested subfolders
• Right click (or long press on mobile) on files and folders to:
  • Rename files
  • Delete files
  • Create files inside folders
  • Create subfolders
  • Delete entire folders
• Folders can be collapsed and expanded
• Each file displays its language with a colored badge

Code Editor

• Real-time syntax highlighting for 7 languages:
  • Lua
  • C++
  • Python
  • JSON
  • Markdown
  • GLSL
  • Shell
• Intelligent autocomplete with 60+ Luanti API functions:

  Code: Select all

  minetest.* vector.* ItemStack

• Real-time linter detecting common issues:

  • Code: Select all

    print()

    usage instead of

    Code: Select all

    minetest.log()

  • Code: Select all

    load()

    disallowed in mods
  • Trailing commas in JSON

  • Code: Select all

    using namespace std

    in C++ headers
• Scroll-synced line numbers
• Cursor position highlight (Ln/Col)
• Configurable tabs (2, 4, or 8 spaces)

• Code: Select all

  Ctrl+/

  comment/uncomment line

• Code: Select all

  Ctrl+S

  save

Browser Cache Autosave

• Automatic saving to

  Code: Select all

  localStorage

• Full session restoration
• Last save timestamp visible
• Save on tab close
• Periodic backup every 30 seconds
• Cache clear button

Code Snippets

Ready-to-insert templates based on active language.

Lua (Luanti):

• register_node
• register_craftitem
• register_tool
• register_craft
• register_abm
• register_chatcommand
• on_joinplayer
• globalstep
• formspec
• VoxelManip

Other languages:

• C++: classes, Lua bindings, MapNode operations
• Python: build scripts and utilities
• JSON: configs and schemas
• Markdown: mod README templates

API Reference

Quick reference panel for each language.

Includes:

• 60+ Luanti Lua functions
• Engine C++ API references
• Useful Python libraries
• JSON schema keys

Canvas - Visual Structure

Side panel showing a visual map of the project:

• Language-based organization
• File color categorization
• SVG export support

Integrated Console

Available modes:

• Output
• Lua REPL
• Errors
• Commands

Commands:

Code: Select all

help
reload
list
check
langs
stat
canvas
clear
save

New Project Wizard

3-step assistant:

1. Basic information
2. Template and extensions
3. Preview

Templates:

• Basic mod
• Full mod
• Full game
• Library/API

Save and Open Files

• Save file
• Save all
• Open folder
• Export full project

Mobile and Tablet Support

On small screens:

• Sidebar becomes a sliding drawer
• Bottom quick navigation bar
• Compact buttons
• Long press context menus
• Touch-optimized interface

On tablets:

• Reduced sidebar
• Optional hidden labels

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+S - Save
• Ctrl+N - New file
• Ctrl+/ - Comment line
• Tab - Indent/autocomplete
• Esc - Close autocomplete

Internal Architecture

Code: Select all

LANGUAGES       -> language definitions
Highlighter     -> syntax highlighting engine
FS              -> virtual filesystem
Cache           -> autosave system
FolderTree      -> folder states
Linter          -> code analysis
Autocomplete    -> suggestions engine
Editor          -> main editor
Console         -> integrated console
Canvas          -> SVG project map
Wizard          -> project assistant
Dialog          -> modal dialogs
CtxMenu         -> context menu
UI              -> general rendering

Why a Single HTML File

All modules can be packaged into a single HTML file for maximum portability.

Advantages:

• No server required
• No installation required
• Offline support
• Maximum portability

Supported Languages

• Lua - .lua - Mods
• C++ - .cpp .h .hpp - Native extensions
• Python - .py - Scripts
• JSON - .json - Configuration
• Markdown - .md .txt .tr - Documentation
• GLSL - .glsl .vert .frag - Shaders
• Shell - .sh .bash - Automation

Compatibility

• Chrome / Chromium - Full
• Firefox - Full
• Safari - Full
• Android Chromium - Full
• iOS Safari - Functional
• Spck Editor - Compatible
• Edge - Full

Project Status and Collaboration

LuantiIDE M is under active development and currently in an expansion phase focused on new functionality and improvements.

The project will be published and maintained on GitHub, allowing anyone to access the source code, explore its internal structure, and follow its progress across versions.

Anyone interested in contributing can join development by providing ideas, improvements, testing, bug fixes, or new features related to the Luanti ecosystem.

Accepted contributions include:

• Editor and user experience improvements
• New snippets and API references
• Mobile optimization
• Compatibility with new Luanti ecosystem tools
• Bug fixes and testing

The project is open to collaborators interested in participating in its evolution toward the final v5 release and public launch.



License

MIT - free to use, modify, and distribute.



LuantiIDE M
Built with HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript.
No frameworks. No build step. No server.

[crisdan]

IMG-20260517-WA0030.jpg (96.94 KiB) Viewed 247 times

These are images from the recent v3 of LuantiIDE M, which fulfills most of the functions mentioned in its report. However, improvements are needed in terms of compatibility with mobile browsers, as well as in saving projects and importing files and folders.
Version 4 is still under development; version 3 is already a complete version of the tool's functionality. Version 5 will fulfill all the proposed requirements and will be released in its repository.
More images of the project's progress and their work will be provided, and they will be of better quality than these :v
LuantiIDE M v3 already fulfills most of its objectives, although with minor errors in file import, which concludes the objectives of v3 and paves the way for the development of v4, which will improve file import by saving projects in organized folders and will add compatibility with mobile browsers and also better mod templates.
Version 4 will also add better customization settings to LuantiIDE M, as well as improve Python functionality in the tool, enhance file creation, and fix bugs from version 3, aiming to implement significant changes between versions up to version 5.

[Sheriff_U3]

Would be nice if there was a link to the GitHub page...

[crisdan]

Would be nice if there was a link to the GitHub page...

Of course, I'll resume the project very soon. Due to some issues, I couldn't finish uploading all the files to the GutHub repository. I'll soon be posting the link to the repository for version 4.1, which still has errors that I need to correct before I can add the files to GutHub.