norns-example-mod

This repo demonstrates how to create a "mod" which can augment/patch/hack matron (the Lua scripting engine for norns).

why

A mod lives in the dust folder just like normal norns scripts. Unlike norns scripts, the code in a mod is loaded by matron when it starts up. mods can modify or extend the Lua environment globally such that the changes are visible to all scripts.

how

mods work by registering functions to be called by matron hooks. matron defines five hooks:

• system_post_startup - called after matron has fully started and system state has been restored but before any script is run
• system_pre_shutdown - called when SYSTEM > SLEEP is selected from the menu
• script_pre_init - called after a script has been loaded but before its engine has started, pmap settings restored, and init() function called
• script_post_init - called after a script's init() function has been called
• script_post_cleanup - called after a script's cleanup() function has been called, this normally occurs when switching between scripts

Multiple mods can each register their own callback function for a given hook. matron will sort the hooks alphabetically before executing them. This allows mods that add parameters to add them in a consistent order -- eg. mods that need all parameters available before executing should start with ~ to ensure they're at the end.

Any errors generated within a registered function will be caught and ignored in the maiden REPL, but see the debugging documentation for how you can access them.

mods may additionally provide their own menu page accessible via the SYSTEM > MODS menu.

layout

A mod is any norns script/project which contains a file called lib/mod.lua. This layout allows a mod to be either a standalone project or simply functionality bundled along side an existing norns script. A mod is free to require additional modules as needed.

using

mods by their nature can have a negative impact on system stability or make system level changes which may not be universally welcome. By default a mod, even if installed, will not be loaded by matron. One must explicitly enable a mod and restart matron before its functionality will be available.

To enable a mod go to SYSTEM > MODS to see the list of installed mods. mods which are loaded will have a small dot to the left of their name. use E2 to selected an item in the list and then use E3 to enable or disable as appropriate. Unloaded mods will show a + to the right their name to indicate that they will be enabled (and thus loaded) on restart. Loaded mods will show a - to the right of their name indicating they will be disabled on restart.

Loaded mods which have a menu will have > at the end of their name, pressing K3 will enter the mod's menu.

developing

See the lib/mod.lua file in this repo for more details.