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KnitPkg for MetaTrader

KnitPkg is a modern package and project manager for MQL5/MQL4, bringing an npm-like dependency workflow to real-world MetaTrader development.

MetaTrader projects often evolve through manual copy/paste, ad-hoc folder sharing, and “it works on my machine” dependency drift. KnitPkg exists to fix that by making code reuse and collaboration predictable, reproducible, and automated—without changing how MQL developers already publish code (Git repos).

What KnitPkg is

KnitPkg is built around a Git-first model:

  • Your code lives in Git repositories (Mql5Forge, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).
  • KnitPkg acts as a metadata registry that indexes projects via their manifests (it does not host your source or binaries).
  • A CLI tool installs dependencies, resolves versions (SemVer + ranges), generates reproducible installs via a lock file, and can automate compilation.

The public registry API is available and currently operational.

Packages vs Projects

KnitPkg manages two kinds of repositories:

  • Packages: reusable MQL source code meant to be imported by other projects.
  • Projects: runnable MetaTrader artifacts such as Expert Advisors, Indicators, Libraries, Services, or Scripts.

Both are installed from their original Git sources, but they serve different goals: packages maximize reuse; projects ship final trading artifacts.

Why developers use KnitPkg

KnitPkg focuses on the pain points that show up fast in MQL development:

  • Versioned dependencies (SemVer + ranges like ^, ~, <, >, *, !=)
  • Reproducible builds with a lock file
  • Composed packages (dependency trees), including helpers like autocomplete and @knitpkg:include
  • Safe ecosystem maintenance with yanked versions (removed from range resolution without breaking history)
  • Git-host login via OAuth for publishing (no extra KnitPkg account); public installs need no auth

How this documentation is organized

This site is structured to take you from “first install” to “deep reference”:

  • Overview: what KnitPkg is and the core idea behind it
  • Installation: getting the CLI working on your machine
  • Getting started: a quick introduction to your first steps using KnitPkg
  • Core Concepts: packages vs projects, the registry, and the Git-first workflow
  • User Guide: day-to-day workflows (init, add, install, get, publish, search)
  • Reference: exact specs (manifest format, directives, SemVer rules, layouts, CLI)
  • Contributing: how to participate in the CLI and ecosystem

KnitPkg — The dependency manager MQL5 always needed.

Made with passion

MIT Licensed — Forever free for the community

GitHub: https://github.com/knitpkg-dev/knitpkg-mt.git

Discord: https://discord.gg/hCbmYtkn to the future.

Contact: contact@knitpkg.dev

KnitPkg – The future of MQL5 development