Enkelmod

Enkelmod is a lightweight, open-source framework designed to simplify the creation, distribution, and execution of community-made modifications for video games and software applications. The name suggests a focus on compact, self-contained mods that require minimal changes to the host program.

Its core design goals include a small footprint, safe execution, and broad engine compatibility. The framework provides a central loader that scans a designated mods directory and reads a manifest.json file from each mod. The manifest declares metadata, dependencies, entry points, and sandbox policies. Each plugin runs inside a restricted sandbox to limit host access and improve stability.

Key architectural components are a minimal core API, a plugin API layer, and a runtime sandbox. Scripting support includes bindings for popular languages such as Lua and JavaScript, enabling rapid mod development. Mods can be packaged as single files or folders, and a lightweight dependency resolver handles load order and version constraints.

History and usage: Enkelmod originated in the open-source modding community in the early 2020s and has since been used by several indie projects to standardize mods across engines. It is maintained through a public repository and welcomes community contributions.

Reception and limitations: Proponents cite its portability, safety model, and ease of use, while critics highlight uneven engine coverage, documentation gaps, and potential performance overhead in large mod networks. The project uses a permissive open-source license that encourages experimentation and redistribution.

See also: Modding, Game modding frameworks, Open-source software.