CLPM

What CLPM is
CLPM is a free, BSD-2-licensed package manager for Common Lisp projects on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It manages projects globally or per project, with dependency resolution, lockfiles, and support for Quicklisp, CLPI, and ASDF package formats. Its standalone core downloads and unpacks releases, resolves dependencies, and creates project-specific environments. A portable Common Lisp client works with ASDF and can locate and install missing systems during interactive development. CLPM can install multiple versions of one package at the same time. Bundles lock systems to chosen versions for repeatable development, deployment, and testing, while allowing upper version limits and unreleased source-control versions. Supported sources include Quicklisp, CLPI, and QL-CLPI, with repository references for GitHub, GitLab, or arbitrary Git URLs. Native HTTPS supports protected package transfers. Release downloads include SHA512 checksums and a GPG-signed checksum file. The maker describes CLPM as beta quality and warns it may break or accidentally eat files.
Who it suits
CLPM suits Common Lisp developers who need dependency resolution, lockfiles, or separate project environments across Linux, macOS, and Windows. It also fits users working with supported implementations such as SBCL or CCL.
What it does well
- Free and BSD-2 licensed
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Resolves dependencies and supports lockfiles
- Installs multiple package versions simultaneously
- Supports GitHub, GitLab, and Git sources
What to know first
- Maker describes it as beta quality
- May break or accidentally eat files
- No free trial is listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CLPM | BSD-2 licensed; beta quality | Free |
As clpm.common-lisp.dev lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
CLPM combines dependency resolution, lockfiles, multiple package versions, and several Common Lisp sources in one tool. Its beta warning means users should consider that stated risk before relying on it for important work.
Facts from CLPM's own pages
- ASDF client
- A portable Common Lisp client interfaces with ASDF and can find and install missing systems during interactive development. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Core functions
- Its standalone core downloads and unpacks releases, resolves dependencies, and manages project-specific environments. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Dependency versions
- CLPM supports installing multiple versions of the same package simultaneously. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Download verification
- The installation page provides SHA512 checksums and a GPG-signed checksum file for the listed release downloads. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes binary downloads as convenient for quick installation and source distributions as suited to hackers or users seeking a different feature set. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- License and maturity
- CLPM is BSD-2 licensed and the maker warns it is beta quality, may break, and may accidentally eat files. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Lockfile support
- Yes · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Package formats
- Quicklisp,CLPI,ASDF · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- Prebuilt binaries are listed for 64-bit Windows, macOS, and Linux, including ARM64 builds for macOS and Linux. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CLPM manages Common Lisp projects in global and project-specific contexts. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Repeatable environments
- Bundles lock systems at specific versions and support repeatable development, deployment, and testing environments. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Repository integrations
- Bundle directives can refer to repositories hosted on GitHub, GitLab, or arbitrary Git URLs. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Sources
- CLPM supports Quicklisp, CLPI, and QL-CLPI source types, and is designed to support multiple sources including internal projects. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to email [email protected] for help or issue reports and provides a development mailing list. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Linux,Windows; Common Lisp implementations including SBCL and CCL · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Transport security
- The project says CLPM natively supports HTTPS, which can help ensure packages have not been tampered with in transit. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
- Version constraints
- Bundles allow upper bounds on dependency versions and can specify unreleased versions from source control. · clpm.common-lisp.dev, 12 Oct 2026
Where CLPM stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#54 of 93