VIPM 2025 is here, packed with the features you've been asking for and some surprises you didn't know you needed. This release represents a major leap forward in making package management smoother, faster, and more accessible across all platforms.

Key Features & Improvements

• VIPM for Linux as an Easy-to-Install Package: One-click installation via Debian package manager
• Preview Features Tab: Test drive experimental features before they go live
• Version Compatibility Alert: Get notified about package-LabVIEW version mismatches
• Quick Search: Lightning-fast package discovery with advanced search algorithms
• [Coming very soon] Cross Platform VIPM CLI: Full package management and build support though a command-line interface
• Various Issue Fixes: Squashed those pesky bugs you've been reporting
• Full Compatibility with LabVIEW 2025Q3 and Earlier. Works seamlessly with all your LabVIEW installations
• Cross Platform Parity: We're officially re-introducing VIPM support for macOS and committing to regular, synchronized rollouts across Windows, Linux, and macOS

Preview Features Tab

Remember the frustration of waiting for that one feature you desperately needed? Those days are gone. The new Preview Features tab transforms you from a passive user into an active participant in VIPM's evolution.

This isn't just another settings page, it's your backstage pass to upcoming features. Toggle experimental capabilities on or off with a single click. Love it? Keep using it and send us feedback. Hit a snag? Simply disable it and carry on with your work, but please tell us what went wrong! We need the good, the bad, and the "this would be better if..." Your honest feedback is gold to us.

The real game-changer? You're now part of the development conversation. Your feedback directly shapes how features evolve from experimental to essential. The development team can iterate faster, and you get solutions that actually solve your problems.

The first batch of preview features focuses on what you do most: finding packages. The new Quick Search capabilities are blazingly fast, [and most useful for me], they even work with spelling mistakes! No more missing that perfect package because you typed "messaing" instead of "messaging".

The intelligent search algorithm powers both:

• Global search on the main UI
• Package-specific search, used when adding dependencies to a package build specification.

The package search UI also got a complete UI overhaul that makes hunting for specific versions or dependencies feel effortless.

New Package Search Experience (completely redesigned!):

Previous search experience:

Linux Users, Your Time Has Come!

VIPM 2025 introduces a proper Debian package that installs VIPM with a single click.

Now you get:

• Standard package manager installation
• Automatic desktop icon creation
• Updates through your system's normal channels
• Installation that just... works

This removes the difficulty from installing VIPM on Linux and helps you get set up faster.

Cross-Platform VIPM CLI: Power at Your Fingertips

Due to be released this year, the completely rebuilt VIPM API is a game-changer for both interactive development and automation. Built from the ground up as a cross-platform command-line interface (CLI), it brings full package management power to Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What makes this CLI special? It was designed for humans first. Even if you're not automating workflows, the CLI dramatically increases productivity. Want to build a package? Just open a terminal in your project folder, type `vipm build <build spec>`, and it handles everything while you grab a coffee. No clicking through dialogs, no waiting for UIs to load, just simple, powerful commands that get work done.

Whether you're quickly installing packages during development, scripting repetitive tasks, or building fully automated CI/CD pipelines, the interface feels natural and responsive. Oh, by the way it works in Docker containers, making containerized LabVIEW development workflows a reality.

The CLI shines in multiple scenarios:

For Interactive Development:

• Build packages with a single command,  no UI navigation required
• Quick package operations without leaving your terminal
• Scriptable workflows that adapt to your development style
• Batch operations that would be tedious in a GUI

For Automation & CI/CD:

• Automatically install package dependencies
• Build and publish packages without human intervention
• Maintain consistent environments across ALL platforms
• Run in Docker containers for ultimate portability

This isn't just about feature parity, it's about recognizing that modern LabVIEW development happens in diverse environments. Whether you're typing commands in your favorite terminal or orchestrating complex builds through Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI, the VIPM CLI adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.

Version Compatibility Alerts: No More Surprises

Let’s say you're building a package for LabVIEW 2021, everything seems fine, then BAM, the build fails because some VIs were accidentally saved in LabVIEW 2023. The hunt begins: which VIs? Where are they hiding?

The new Version Compatibility Alert system catches these issues during the build process, warning you immediately if your chosen LabVIEW version can't be used because some VIs are saved in a newer version. But it doesn't just tell you there's a problem, it tells you exactly which VIs are causing the issue.

And you're in control. Want to continue with the newer version of LabVIEW? Go right ahead. Need to fix those specific VIs first? Now you know exactly which ones to target.

Our Commitment: More Than Just Features

This release marks the beginning of an ambitious expansion in both development resources and community support. What does this mean for you?

• Faster Feature Delivery: More developers = more frequent updates
• Better Support: Dedicated resources for each platform
• Active Community Engagement: Your Discord messages won't go unanswered
• Documentation That Really Helps: Comprehensive guides that make sense

The improvements address real pain points that you've been vocal about. Linux users get first-class treatment. CI/CD workflows become platform-agnostic. Package discovery becomes intuitive. And through it all, you have a direct line to influence what comes next.

LabVIEW Lots,

Tom and the VIPM Dev Team