Every plugin (apart from Dynamic Plguins) has a plain ASCII file, the script file, which may be edited by a simple text editor or Hackman. This file should have an .hmp extension and be inside the \plugins directory. The script is mostly consisted of commands. The first line of every plugin should be the menu name that should be used. This menu name shall be placed under HackmanÆs menu which is described in the next record:

 
&Minor Alternative
menu = edit
about=yes
config=
shortcut=
icon=
uninstall=

This tells Hackman to insert a ôMinor Alternativeö menu in Edit menu. When this menu is clicked, the script file is read and executed.
The 3rd line tells Hackman that your plugin has an about box and runs the main executable with the /a switch.
The 4th line declares that your plugin has no configuration dialog box. If it had one, then a menu would appear in configure plugins.
The 5th line is for a future feature and should be ingored for the time being.
The 6th line is for compatibility reasons only.
The 7th line provides to the Plugin Uninstaller program the information it need in order to uninstall your plugin.

Possible menu parameters are:
 

• open (file|open)
• edit (edit)
• insert (edit|insert)
• write (write)
• write_special (write|special menu)
• run (execute)
• config (configure)
• tools (tools)
• macro (tools|macro)
• dev (developer)
• help (help|reference)
• help_web (help|hackman on the web)
• startup (learn more)

Lines starting with a semicolon (;) are considered to be comments, therefore they are ignored. Place comments in your code and leave blank lines which are also ignored in order to make your script clearer to translate and debug. Performance in not affect from the number of comments or blank lines used.

Note: the symbol ô&ö in front of ôMinorö causes a shortcut to be placed under the letter ôMö in HackmanÆs menu. When the user presses alt and moves focus to the menu bar, he can with certain keystrokes access your plugin. You should not use a keystroke already reserved.