> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://chaoses-ib.gitbook.io/directory-opus/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://chaoses-ib.gitbook.io/directory-opus/manual/release_history/opus13_detailed/script_ide.md).

# Script IDE

**Script IDE**

* Script Management dialog:
  * Dialog for managing scripts is now standalone instead of in Preferences.
  * The new Script Editor (see below) can be accessed double-clicking a script, or via the Edit button.
  * Cog buttons appear next to scripts that support configuration.
  * Changes in the dialog (e.g. disabling a script) take effect immediately. No need to click OK or Apply.
* Script sharing:
  * Share button makes it easy to share your scripts. The selected script (either standalone or package) and any include files it needs will be bundled automatically into a Opus Script Install file.
  * Opus Script Install files can be installed via the dialog, or via Settings > Install Script from the main window. This also works with standalone scripts and script packages from older versions.
  * The script installer will warn you if a script requires a newer version of Opus, and displays a summary of commands and columns the script will add.
  * After installation, you can drag new commands or columns to a toolbar or file display from the Install Results dialog.
* Script editor:
  * New, integrated editor for writing scripts and managing their resources.
  * Multi-document, tabbed interface.
  * Lets you edit standalone scripts, script packages, and their resources.
  * Built-in dialog and string (localization) resource editors.
  * Easily convert standalone scripts to packages.
  * Add and manage images, icon sets and help files within script packages.
  * Pre-supplied snippets list to add common code to your scripts via drag & drop or copy/paste.
  * You can add your own code to the snippets list for future reuse.
  * Option to use external text editor, if desired. (IDE monitors files for changes and updates automatically.)
* Script modules:
  * Large scripts can now be split into multiple "modules", instead of a large file.
  * Module filenames must begin with the main script's name, followed by the module name and a .osm suffix.
  * //<Example://> "MyScript.js" might have a module file called "MyScript.js.FirstModule.osm".
  * The Script IDE lets you create new modules for an existing script.
* Include files:
  * Can be created via the New Script dialog.
  * "Include files" let you share code (e.g. helper functions) between separate scripts, without having multiple copies of the same code.
  * Include files must have a name beginning with "inc\_".
  * Include files can implement the OnInitIncludeFile method to provide information about them to the user, but this is not required.
  * To use an include file from another script, add a line at the very top of the script: @include \<includefile>.
  * The minimum required version of the include file can also be specified.
  * The Script IDE lets you select include files for scripts using a GUI, taking care of most details for you.
* Commands:
  * `Prefs INSTALLSCRIPT`
  * `Prefs SCRIPTS` -- Can open the Script Management dialog, select a script and (if applicable) open its configuration UI.
    * Script is specified by filename and usually uses a wildcard so it works whether the extension has ".txt" on the end or not.
    * The command editor can generate the proper command and wildcard for you.
    * //<Example://> `Prefs SCRIPTS=AlbumDoubleClick.vbs*`
  * `Prefs SCRIPTEDIT` -- Can open the Script IDE for a specified script.
    * Same filename and wildcards as `Prefs SCRIPTS`, above.
    * //<Example://> `Prefs SCRIPTEDIT=AlbumDoubleClick.vbs*`
* Miscellaneous:
  * When creating a new script, there is now the option to create it as a script package. (Packages allow multiple scripts and other resources to be included in a single file.)
  * By default, the New Script dialog now creates template code for commands and columns using the newer (Opus 12) OnAddCommands / OnAddColumns syntax.

***

Next: [File Types](/directory-opus/manual/release_history/opus13_detailed/file_types.md)