Org mode

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What Org mode is

Org mode is a structured plain-text format and a mode for GNU Emacs, designed for work ranging from notes and task planning to code and document publishing. Its planning features include TODO states, priorities, deadlines, scheduled tasks, tags, time clocking, and customizable agendas. Documents are arranged in nested sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke. Tables handle formulas and references and can import CSV and TSV data. Org Babel runs and combines source blocks across more than 80 languages, supporting literate programming. Org documents can be exported to formats such as HTML, LaTeX, ODT, Markdown, and iCalendar, and projects with multiple Org files and resources can be published. Org Capture gathers structured information from Emacs and other applications, including browsers and PDF viewers. Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG, but headlines and properties remain outside that encryption. The full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs. Org comes with GNU Emacs distributions and can also be installed through Emacs package management or its Git repository. Third-party tools for Org files are available on Android, iOS, and the web. Org is free. Stable versions target recent Emacs releases, and the project says Org 9.8 supports the latest Emacs release and the two versions before it.

Who it suits

Org mode suits people who want a plain-text workspace for tasks, notes, time tracking, code, and publishing within GNU Emacs. It can also appeal to users who want to work with Org files through third-party Android, iOS, or web tools.

What it does well

Combines task planning, time clocking, notes, and customizable agendas.
Uses foldable nested sections to organize documents.
Org Babel supports source blocks in more than 80 languages.
Tables include formulas and can import CSV and TSV data.
Exports to formats including HTML, LaTeX, ODT, Markdown, and iCalendar.

What to know first

The full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs.
Org 9.8 dropped support for Emacs 26 and 27.
Org Crypt does not encrypt headlines or properties.
The manual asks users to allow up to one month for mailing-list responses.

Limits

Org 9.8 no longer supports Emacs 26 or 27 and targets the latest Emacs release and the two versions before it. Org Crypt encrypts entry text, but not headlines or properties.

Getting started

Install GNU Emacs, which includes Org in its distributions.
Alternatively, install Org through Emacs package management or clone its Git repository.
Create or open an Org document in Emacs.
Use the manual and send questions or bug reports to the Org mailing list.

Verdict

Pick Org mode if you want free, plain-text task, document, and code workflows centered on GNU Emacs. Look elsewhere if you need the full feature set outside Emacs or need encrypted headlines and properties.

Questions

Is Org mode free?

Yes. Org is free.

Which platforms can I use for Org files?

The full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs. Third-party Org file tools are listed for Android, iOS, and the web; the listed desktop platforms are Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How do I install Org?

Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions. It can also be installed through Emacs package management or by cloning its Git repository.

What can Org export to?

Export formats include ASCII, Beamer, HTML, iCalendar, LaTeX, Markdown, ODT, Org, Texinfo, and man.

Does Org support code execution?

Yes. Org Babel executes source blocks across more than 80 languages.

What does Org Crypt encrypt?

Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG. It does not encrypt headlines or properties.

Facts from Org mode's own pages

Capture: Org Capture can collect structured information from Emacs and other applications, including web browsers and PDF viewers. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Code and literate programming: Org Babel executes and combines source blocks across languages, and the site says Org supports over 80 languages. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Code and notebooks: Org Babel runs code blocks and supports more than 80 languages for literate programming. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit: Org stable versions are intended to be compatible with the last three stable Emacs versions, but not older versions. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Emacs integration: The full set of Org features is exclusive to GNU Emacs; Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Extensibility: Org supports custom link types and resolving functions, including links to files on remote machines through Tramp. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Format: Org mode is a structured plain text format designed for workflows ranging from notes and markup to literate programs. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · orgmode.org, 20 Sept 2026
Installation: Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions; users can also install it through Emacs package management or clone its Git repository. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Integrations: The site says Org works with Pandoc, and links to third-party mobile and browser tools that support Org files. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Outlining: Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Project license: The Org website says it is licensed under GNU FDL 1.3; the pages reviewed do not specify a product pricing plan. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Publishing: Org can export documents to formats including HTML, LaTeX and ODT, and can publish projects containing multiple Org files and resources. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Release support: Org 9.8 dropped support for Emacs 26 and 27 and states compatibility with the latest Emacs release and the two versions before it. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Security: Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG, but it does not encrypt headlines or properties. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Structured editing: Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Support: The Org community provides support through its mailing list, and the project says replies can sometimes take over a month. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Tables: Org tables support formulas and references, and can import CSV and TSV data. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Task planning: Org supports TODO states, priorities, deadlines, scheduled tasks, tags, clocking and customizable agendas. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Third-party apps: The official tools directory lists third-party Org file apps for Android, iOS, and web, including Orgzly Revived, MobileOrg, Orgro, and Organice. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
What it is: Org is a flexible structured plain text format and a mode for GNU Emacs. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026
Who it is for: The feature set includes task planning, time tracking, note taking, literate programming and document publishing. · orgmode.org, 4 Oct 2026