lispython 0.4.1

Lisp-like Syntax for Python with Lisp-like Macros

LisPython

LisPython is a Lisp-flavored syntax for Python with Lisp-style macros. Source files (.lpy) are transpiled to Python and executed on the standard CPython runtime.

Documentation

Full documentation lives at https://jetack.github.io/lispython/.

Quick Start

(import math)

(def area [r]
  (return (* math.pi (** r 2))))

(print (area 3))

lpy example.lpy

Installation

Using pip

pip install lispython

Manual Installation (for development)

uv sync # install dependencies
uv pip install -e . # for development

How to Run LisPython code

Run from source

lpy {filename}.lpy

Run REPL

lpy
# or
lpy -t # if you want to print python translation.

Show translation

l2py {filename}.lpy

Prints the translated Python to stdout. It does not execute the code.

Run Tests

# in project root directory
pytest
# or
lpy -m pytest

LSP Server

LisPython ships with a language server (lpy-lsp) that speaks LSP over stdio. It provides:

• Diagnostics (parse / compile errors)
• Hover documentation for special forms
• Document symbols
• Go-to-definition, including across .lpy files in the workspace

Editor setup

Point your editor's LSP client at the lpy-lsp command for files with the .lpy extension. The server speaks LSP over stdio.

VSCode

Install the LisPython extension from the VSCode Marketplace.

Emacs

Use lpy-mode for syntax highlighting and LSP integration. For completion, install lpy-autocomplete.

Todo

Environment

• Test on more python versions
• REPL should track history and arrow key navigation
• REPL multi-line input support
• Better compilation error messages

Macro System

• as-> macro for syntactic sugar
• gensym for avoiding name collision

Python AST

• type_comment never considered. Later, it should be covered
• Any missing AST nodes in the version 3.12+