Can't get BBEdit to recognize my first codeless language module

[Tim Cutler]

Hi, all. I'm a longtime BBEdit user but trying to create my first codeless language module.

I've put a minimum plist file, as described in the online CLM reference, in the ~/Library/Application Support/BBEdit/Language Modules folder but it doesn't appear in the language selection list after closing and restarting BBEdit.

What am I missing? I'm on MacOS 26.1 and BBEdit 15.5.3.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>BBEditDocumentType</key>
<string>CodelessLanguageModule</string>
<key>BBLMLanguageCode</key>
<string>timtest</string>
<key>BBLMLanguageDisplayName</key>
<string>timtest</string>
</dict>
</plist>

[Rich Siegel]

On 13 Nov 2025, at 13:43, Tim Cutler wrote:

> Hi, all. I'm a longtime BBEdit user but trying to create my first codeless
> language module.
>
> I've put a minimum plist file, as described in the online CLM reference, in
> the ~/Library/Application Support/BBEdit/Language Modules folder but it
> doesn't appear in the language selection list after closing and restarting
> BBEdit.
>
> What am I missing? I'm on MacOS 26.1 and BBEdit 15.5.3.

Your language module is malformed and is missing crucial elements. BBEdit will log codeless language module errors; if you choose "Logs" from the Folders submenu on BBEdit's application menu, a Finder window will open showing the appropriate location, and the log file will be therein.

I recommend starting with the Codeless Language Module documentation at https://www.barebones.com/support/develop/clm.html

R.

> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
> "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
> <plist version="1.0">
> <dict>
> <key>BBEditDocumentType</key>
> <string>CodelessLanguageModule</string>
> <key>BBLMLanguageCode</key>
> <string>timtest</string>
> <key>BBLMLanguageDisplayName</key>
> <string>timtest</string>
> </dict>
> </plist>
>

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--
Rich Siegel Bare Bones Software, Inc.
<sie...@barebones.com> <https://www.barebones.com/>

Someday I'll look back on all this and laugh... until they sedate me.

[Tim Cutler]

I found the issue before my original post even got through moderation. I forgot to apply the 4-character limit to BBLMLanguageCode, as specified in the online CLM reference. The rest of it was OK, although it wasn't configured to actually do anything other than appear in the language list.

I'm on my way, now!

Thanks, Rich, for your speedy reply, and for your reminder about where the logs are.