ilusm

A compact, self-hosted programming language for backend services, network tooling, and automation — built entirely on a Steam Deck.

The full stack — lexer, parser, bytecode compiler, VM, and 345-module stdlib — is implemented in ilusm itself. The language compiles itself. Ships as a single binary, cross-compiled for Linux, Windows, and macOS (.deb, .rpm, .exe, .pkg). VS Code extension included: syntax, linter, snippets, REPL.

Five-character surface rule: every keyword, builtin, and stdlib name is ≤5 chars. prn not print. whl not while. A hard constraint that makes ilusm measurably denser than any mainstream language.

345-module stdlib: HTTP/WS/TCP/UDP, JSON/CSV/TOML, crypto (SHA, HMAC, post-quantum), JWT, OAuth, TLS, SQL/Redis, DNS, gRPC, GraphQL, IoT (GPIO, BLE, NFC, LoRa), GPS, SDR, AI/ML, audio, SVG, DOM, WASM, terminal UI. All pass automated tests.

Self-hosting: compiler and VM written in ilusm, compile themselves. Minimal C seed (~100KB) is a bootstrap trampoline only. Entire implementation fits in one AI context window.

Uniquely suited for AI-assisted coding — dense syntax means fewer tokens per equivalent program vs Python/JS/Go. As LLM coding becomes standard, token-efficient languages become infrastructure. v3 targets this direction.

Two ways to use ilusm: (1) as a full primary language — write entire services, tools, and pipelines in it; (2) drop it into an existing stack alongside Python, Go, or JavaScript as a dense scripting and glue layer. No conflict, no migration required.

Built by one developer, on a Steam Deck, as a solo parent in the US.