Makepad 1.x to 2.0 Migration Skill

> Version: makepad-widgets (dev branch) | Last Updated: 2026-03-03

Overview

Makepad 2.0 is a fundamental architecture shift from compile-time static DSL to runtime scripting. Migration involves syntax changes, derive macro updates, lifecycle method renames, and new patterns for state management.

Documentation

Refer to the local files for detailed documentation:

• ./references/migration-guide.md - Complete migration reference with examples

Quick Syntax Mapping Table

| Makepad 1.x | Makepad 2.0 | Notes | |-------------|-------------|-------| | live_design! { ... } | script_mod! { ... } | Core macro change | | <Widget> { ... } | Widget{ ... } | No angle brackets | | Key = Value | Key: value | Colon, not equals | | (THEME_COLOR) | theme.color_* | Theme namespace | | live_body: { ... } | body +: { ... } | Merge operator | | #[derive(Live)] | #[derive(Script)] | Derive macro | | #[derive(LiveHook)] | #[derive(ScriptHook)] | Lifecycle hooks | | #[derive(Widget)] | #[derive(Widget)] | Unchanged | | before_apply() | on_before_apply() | Method rename | | after_apply() | on_after_apply() | Method rename | | apply_over!() | script_apply_eval!() | Runtime updates | | DefaultNone | Default | Enum default | | LiveRegister | WidgetRegister | Widget registration | | live_register() | register_widget(vm) | Registration method | | LiveId | LiveId | Unchanged |

Step-by-Step Migration

Step 1: Replace Macro

rust
// OLD
live_design! {
    import makepad_widgets::base::*;
    import makepad_widgets::theme_desktop_dark::*;

    App = {{App}} {
        ui: <Root> { ... }
    }
}

// NEW
script_mod! {
    use mod.prelude.widgets.*

    startup() do #(App::script_component(vm)){
        ui: Root{
            // ... UI definition
        }
    }
}

Step 2: Update Derives

rust
// OLD
#[derive(Live, LiveHook, Widget)]
pub struct MyWidget { ... }

// NEW
#[derive(Script, ScriptHook, Widget)]
pub struct MyWidget { ... }

Step 3: Update App::run

rust
// OLD
impl LiveRegister for App {
    fn live_register(cx: &mut Cx) {
        makepad_widgets::live_design(cx);
    }
}

// NEW
impl App {
    fn run(vm: &mut ScriptVm) -> Self {
        crate::makepad_widgets::script_mod(vm);
        App::from_script_mod(vm, self::script_mod)
    }
}

Step 4: Rename Lifecycle Methods

rust
// OLD
impl LiveHook for MyWidget {
    fn before_apply(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, ...) { ... }
    fn after_apply(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, ...) { ... }
}

// NEW
impl ScriptHook for MyWidget {
    fn on_before_apply(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, ...) { ... }
    fn on_after_apply(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, ...) { ... }
}

Step 5: Update DSL Syntax

// OLD - angle brackets, equals signs
<View> {
    width: Fill, height: Fill
    show_bg: true
    draw_bg: { color: (THEME_BG) }

    title = <Label> {
        text: "Hello"
        draw_text: { color: #fff }
    }
}

// NEW - curly braces, colons, theme namespace
View{
    width: Fill height: Fill
    show_bg: true
    draw_bg.color: theme.color_bg_app

    title := Label{
        text: "Hello"
        draw_text.color: #fff
    }
}

Step 6: Replace apply_over with script_eval

rust
// OLD
self.label(id!(title)).apply_over(cx, live! {
    text: "New text"
});

// NEW
script_eval!(cx, {
    ui.title.set_text("New text")
});
// OR
script_apply_eval!(cx, self.ui, {
    title.text: "New text"
});

Key Breaking Changes

1. No commas between properties (whitespace-delimited)
2. No semicolons anywhere in Splash
3. No angle brackets for widget types
4. Theme constants use theme.* prefix, not (THEME_*) syntax
5. Named children use := operator, not =
6. Merge operator is +: not : for extending parent properties
7. height: Fit is MANDATORY on containers (default is 0px, not auto)
8. Registration happens in App::run, not live_register
9. Field attribute #[source] links to script object (required on some widgets)
10. Old old/ directory contains archived 1.x code for reference

Common Migration Mistakes

| Mistake | Symptom | Fix | |---------|---------|-----| | Still using live_design! | Compile error | Replace with script_mod! | | Using <Widget> syntax | Parse error | Use Widget{} | | Using Key = Value | Property not applied | Use Key: value | | Using (THEME_COLOR) | Unknown token | Use theme.color_* | | Missing height: Fit | Container invisible (0px) | Add height: Fit | | Using Live derive | Compile error | Use Script | | Using before_apply | Method not found | Use on_before_apply | | Using commas between props | Parse error | Remove commas |

Best Practices for Migration

1. Start with examples - Study examples/counter and examples/todo for 2.0 patterns
2. Migrate one widget at a time - Don't try to convert everything at once
3. Check the old/ directory - Compare old vs new widget implementations
4. Test height: Fit - Most invisible UI is caused by missing height
5. Use theme variables - Replace all hardcoded theme colors with theme.*
6. Add new_batch: true - Any View with show_bg and text children needs it