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MELPA

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What MELPA is

MELPA is a free archive of Emacs Lisp packages that work with Emacs package.el. Its build servers turn upstream source code into packages using recipes, and updates arrive at intervals throughout the day. MELPA says new upstream commits lead to new packages. To install packages, users add the archive URL to package-archives in Emacs, then browse and install through package.el. MELPA requires Emacs 24.1 or later with package.el. Recipes can use Git and Mercurial repositories, with dedicated fetchers for GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, and SourceHut. A separate archive, MELPA Stable, provides builds from the latest tagged upstream code when version tags are available. The homepage describes MELPA as curated to exclude obsolete, renamed, forked, or randomly hacked packages. Contributors can propose packages by sending a recipe pull request. The project name expands to “Milkypostman's ELPA” or “Milkypostman's Experimental Lisp Package Archive.” Its README lists official package-download mirrors, which do not include the website frontend.

Who it suits

MELPA is for Emacs users who install Emacs Lisp packages through package.el and want an archive built from upstream projects. Recipe contributors can also propose packages through pull requests.

What it does well

  • Free archive for Emacs Lisp packages.
  • Packages update at intervals throughout the day.
  • Recipes support Git and Mercurial sources.
  • Dedicated fetchers cover four named hosting services.
  • A separate stable archive uses tagged upstream code when available.

What to know first

  • Requires Emacs 24.1 or later with package.el.
  • Installation requires adding the archive URL to package-archives.
  • Listed mirrors do not mirror the website frontend.

Limits

The free archive requires Emacs 24.1 or later with package.el. No other free-plan quota or feature limit is listed.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
MELPAEmacs Lisp package archive; requires Emacs 24.1 or later with package.elFree

As melpa.org lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://melpa.org/.
  2. Use Emacs 24.1 or later with package.el.
  3. Add the MELPA archive URL to package-archives.
  4. Browse and install packages through package.el.

Verdict

MELPA provides a package.el-compatible route to packages built from upstream source, with a separate stable archive for tagged releases. It is relevant if your Emacs version meets the stated requirement.

Questions

Is MELPA free?

Yes. Its listed plan is free.

What do I need to use MELPA?

You need Emacs 24.1 or later with package.el, and must add the MELPA archive URL to package-archives.

How are MELPA packages built and updated?

MELPA builds packages from upstream source using recipes. Packages are updated at intervals throughout the day, and new upstream commits result in new packages.

Does MELPA have a stable archive?

Yes. MELPA Stable publishes packages built from the latest tagged upstream code when version tags exist.

Can people contribute packages?

Yes. People can propose a package by submitting a new recipe as a pull request.

What repositories do recipes support?

Recipes support Git and Mercurial repositories, with dedicated fetchers for GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, and SourceHut.

Facts from MELPA's own pages

Automatic updates
The MELPA homepage says new upstream commits result in new packages. · melpa.org, 4 Oct 2026
Build process
MELPA builds packages on its servers from upstream source code using simple recipes. · melpa.org, 4 Oct 2026
Contributing
People can propose packages by submitting a new recipe as a pull request. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Curation
The MELPA homepage describes the archive as curated to exclude obsolete, renamed, forked, or randomly hacked packages. · melpa.org, 4 Oct 2026
Installation
Users can browse and install packages through Emacs package.el after adding the MELPA archive URL to package-archives. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Mirrors
The README lists official mirrors for package downloads and says they do not mirror the website frontend. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Naming
MELPA expands to “Milkypostman's ELPA” or “Milkypostman's Experimental Lisp Package Archive.” · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Package updates
Packages are updated at intervals throughout the day. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product audience
MELPA is for Emacs users installing Emacs Lisp packages through package.el. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
MELPA is a collection of package.el-compatible Emacs Lisp packages built automatically from upstream source using recipes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Requirements
MELPA requires Emacs with package.el, specifically Emacs 24.1 or greater. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Security boundary
MELPA says it is not responsible for the contents of unofficial mirrors of its packages. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Source integrations
Recipes support Git and Mercurial repositories and dedicated fetchers for GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, and SourceHut. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Stable archive
MELPA Stable publishes packages built from the latest tagged upstream code when version tags exist. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

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