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+# Modules
+
+Most of Textadept's functionality comes from modules written in Lua. A module
+consists of a single directory with an `init.lua` script to load any additional
+Lua files (typically in the same location). Essentially there are two classes of
+module: generic and language-specific.
+
+## Generic
+
+This class of modules is usually available globally for programming in all
+languages or writing plain-text. An example is the
+[textadept](../modules/_m.textadept.html) module which implements most of
+Textadept's functionality (find/replace, key commands, menus, snippets, etc.).
+These kinds of modules are generally loaded on startup. See the
+[preferences](9_Preferences.html#user_init) page for instructions on how to load
+generic modules when Textadept starts.
+
+## Language Specific
+
+Each module of this class of modules is named after a language lexer in the
+`lexers/` directory and is only available only for editing code in that
+particular programming language unless you specify otherwise. Examples are the
+[cpp](../modules/_m.cpp.html) and [lua](../modules/_m.lua.html) modules which
+provide special editing features for the C/C++ and Lua languages respectively.
+
+#### Lexer
+
+All languages have a [lexer](../modules/lexer.html) that performs syntax
+highlighting on the source code. While the lexer itself is not part of the
+module, its existence in `lexers/` is required.
+
+#### Activation
+
+Language-specific modules are automatically loaded when a file of that language
+is loaded or a buffer's lexer is set to that language.
+
+#### Snippets
+
+Most language-specific modules have a set of
+[snippets](../modules/_m.textadept.snippets.html). Press `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I`
+(`Ctrl+Apple+Shift+I` on Mac OSX) for a list of available snippets or see the
+module's Lua code. To insert a snippet, type its trigger followed by the `Tab`
+key. Subsequent presses of `Tab` causes the caret to enter tab stops in
+sequential order, `Shift+Tab` goes back to the previous tab stop, and
+`Ctrl+Alt+I` (`Ctrl+Apple+I` on Mac OSX) cancels the current snippet. Snippets
+can be nested (inserted from within another snippet).
+
+![Snippet](images/snippet.png)
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+![Snippet Expanded](images/snippet2.png)
+
+#### Commands
+
+Most language-specific modules have a set of [key
+commands](../modules/_m.textadept.keys.html). See the module's Lua code for
+which key commands are available.
+
+##### Run
+
+Most language-specific modules have a command that runs the code in the current
+file. Pressing `Ctrl+R` runs that command.
+
+##### Compile
+
+Most language-specific modules have a command that compiles the code in the
+current file. Pressing `Ctrl+Shift+R` runs that command.
+
+##### Block Comments
+
+Pressing `Ctrl+Q` comments or uncomments the code on the selected lines.
+
+#### Buffer Properties
+
+Sometimes language-specific modules set default buffer properties like tabs and
+indentation size. See the module's Lua code for these settings and change them
+if you prefer something else.
+
+## Getting Modules
+
+For now, user-created modules are obtained from the
+[wiki](http://caladbolg.net/textadeptwiki).
+
+## Installing Modules
+
+It is recommended to put all modules in your `~/.textadept/modules/` directory
+so they will not be overwritten when you update Textadept. Modules in that
+directory override any modules in Textadept's `modules/` directory. This means
+that if you have your own `lua` module, it will be loaded instead of the one
+that comes with Textadept.
+
+## Developing Modules
+
+See the [LuaDoc](../modules/_m.html) for modules.