Quicklisp
What Quicklisp is
Quicklisp is a free, open-source library manager for Common Lisp. It downloads, installs, and loads libraries and their dependencies from a catalog covering over 1,500 libraries. Supported implementations include ABCL, Allegro CL, Clasp, Clozure CL, CLISP, CMUCL, ECL, LispWorks, MKCL, SBCL, and Scieneer CL. It runs on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows and supports offline installation. After setup, `ql:quickload` loads systems, including local projects whose dependencies are available through Quicklisp. `ql:system-apropos` searches systems by substring, while `ql:uninstall` removes a system and related metadata. Library updates usually arrive about monthly, and client updates a few times yearly. Earlier library sets can be restored. The installer includes a detached PGP signature and published SHA-256 hash for verification.
Who it suits
Quicklisp suits Common Lisp developers who want catalog-based installation, dependency handling, and offline use. It supports many listed Lisp implementations across the three supported operating systems.
What it does well
- Catalog of over 1,500 libraries
- Automatic dependency downloads
- Offline installation support
- Search and uninstall commands
- Return to earlier library sets
What to know first
- Proxy authentication is unsupported
- Direct proxy support is plain HTTP only
- Provided as-is without warranty
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quicklisp | Common Lisp library manager · provided as-is without warranty | Free |
As quicklisp.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Quicklisp centralizes Common Lisp library installation and dependency loading across many implementations. Its proxy limits and as-is warranty are important operational details.
Facts from Quicklisp's own pages
- Adding projects
- The FAQ says people can request a public library be added by creating a GitHub request or emailing the maker. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Automatic dependencies
- Quicklisp automatically downloads supporting software needed to load a system. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · quicklisp.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Find libraries
- Users can search available systems by substring with `ql:system-apropos`. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Historical library sets
- The site describes returning to a previous set of libraries as useful when a project depends on the library universe from a particular point in time. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Install and load
- After installation, users can load a system with `ql:quickload`, which automatically downloads supporting software it needs. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrity verification
- The installer download has a detached PGP signature that users can verify against the Quicklisp release signing key; the site also publishes a SHA-256 hash. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Library catalog
- The site says Quicklisp works with over 1,500 libraries. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License and warranty
- The site provides MIT-style license terms and says Quicklisp is provided as-is without warranty. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Local projects
- `ql:quickload` can load local systems outside Quicklisp and automatically load dependencies available through Quicklisp. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · quicklisp.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package formats
- Common Lisp systems/libraries and source archives · quicklisp.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- The site lists Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows support. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Private distributions
- The FAQ says users can make private repositories of Quicklisp software called dists, but that this is not documented there. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Proxy limitation
- The FAQ says proxy support is limited to plain HTTP and does not support proxy authentication. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Proxy limits
- The FAQ says proxy use is supported, but only plain HTTP is supported directly and proxy authentication is not yet supported. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Quicklisp is a library manager for Common Lisp that downloads, installs, and loads libraries. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Remove libraries
- `ql:uninstall` deletes a system’s archive, unpacked source, and associated Quicklisp metadata, and clears ASDF’s system cache. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Search
- The system-apropos command searches for available systems by a text substring. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The installer has a detached PGP signature, and the site provides a release signing key fingerprint for verification. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs questions to Zach Beane by email, the Quicklisp discussion group mailing list, or the #quicklisp IRC channel. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported implementations
- The site lists ABCL, Allegro CL, Clasp, Clozure CL, CLISP, CMUCL, ECL, LispWorks, MKCL, SBCL, and Scieneer CL. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported Lisp implementations
- The site lists ABCL, Allegro CL, Clasp, Clozure CL, CLISP, CMUCL, ECL, LispWorks, MKCL, SBCL, and Scieneer CL. · quicklisp.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Linux,Mac OS X,Windows · quicklisp.org, 22 Sept 2026
Where Quicklisp stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#51 of 93