A [[user script]] is a plain text file with a file extension of <code>.user.js</code>.
== The Editor ==
Typically a [[Metadata Block]] is included. Although this is not strictly required '''it is highly recommended'''.
Creation of a [[user script]] can be done with any plain text editor. Upon completion of a script it may be distributed via any server method available or even a specialized user script hosting site such as [http://userscripts.org userscripts.org].
As of Greasemonkey 4.0, due to limits in the WebExtension API surface, only an embedded editor is available.
The tricky part of course is what happens between starting a script and when the script is finished.
Manually walking through all the steps will ensure common understanding of what is going on.
== Picking an Editor ==
The script itself is listed in the editor's first tab.
Most script authors use a familiar built in text editor such as Windows Notepad, Linux KDE Kwrite/Kate, Linux Gnome gedit, or Mac OS X TextEdit.
Any <code>@require</code> or <code>@resource</code> files will be listed in additional tabs.
Many other editors are available that provide features to make programming easier.
For more information, and choices, see Wikipedia's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_text_editors comparison of text editors].
== Creating the Script ==
Press <kbd>Ctrl-S</kbd> (or click the floppy disk icon at top left<!-- TODO: Update screenshot -->) to save any changes.
Begin with creating the text file in a favorite plain text editor. It should contain the [[Metadata Block]] with at least the [[Metadata Block#.40name|@name]], [[Metadata Block#.40namespace|@namespace]], a brief [[Metadata Block#.40description|@description]] and any appropriate [[Metadata Block#.40include|@include]] and [[Metadata Block#.40exclude|@exclude]] [[include and exclude rules|rules]]. Once this has been completed continuation of writing the actual code may occur. However it is not yet necessary, and can be considered counterproductive for new script authors. Now the script stub is ready to be installed into [[Greasemonkey]].
== Editing the Script ==
At this point [[Greasemonkey]] has already made a copy of the script installed and placed it in the [[scripts directory]]. Any future page loads which match the [[include and exclude rules]] will execute the script. Close the text editor and optionally delete the original source file.
Next is finding and editing the copy of the script that Greasemonkey is working with.
This may be done directly as explained in the [[FAQ#Yes.2C_but_how_can_I_edit_a_script_without_going_through_Greasemonkey.3F|FAQ]], or by one of two shortcuts Greasemonkey provides.
The first shortcut would be the edit button in the [[Greasemonkey Manual:Manage Dialog|manage dialog]].
Alternately a quick right-click in the [[Greasemonkey Manual:Monkey Menu|monkey menu]] will produce the same results.
When working with the copy of the script that [[Greasemonkey]] has installed, code changes will be immediately available (excluding changes to the [[Metadata Block]], which is read only at install time).
Simply save the file and reload any pages that apply.
== Changing the Editor ==
Currently, the only way to change the selected editor is via the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config about:config] page. Find the <code>greasemonkey.editor</code> preference. Double-click it, and type or paste in the location of the script editor to use.
Future versions of Greasemonkey are expected to have a GUI for this.
As of Greasemonkey 4.0, due to limits in the WebExtension API surface, only an embedded editor is available.
Greasemonkey's script editor
The script itself is listed in the editor's first tab.
Any @require or @resource files will be listed in additional tabs.
Press Ctrl-S (or click the floppy disk icon at top left) to save any changes.
That's It!
Writing scripts for Greasemonkey is not hard.
What can get difficult, however, is working with the quirks and limitations that the script runs under;
Some things that work perfectly in a normal web page, copied and pasted directly to a user script suddenly fail.
It's important to know how the environment the scripts run in works.
