This article shows the Block Plugin syntax.
On the Scratch Wiki, code must be inserted between the <scratchblocks>...</scratchblocks> tags, while on the forums they are inserted between [scratchblocks]...[/scratchblocks] tags.
Every block goes on a new line, and is written as the text on the block is shown on Scratch. For example:
| Code | Result |
|---|---|
when gf clicked
forever
turn cw (15) degrees
say [Hello!] for (2) secs
if <mouse down?> then
change [mouse clicks v] by (1)
end
end
|
when gf clicked
forever
turn cw (15) degrees
say [Hello!] for (2) secs
if <mouse down?> then
change [mouse clicks v] by (1)
end
end
|
Contents
Arguments
Arguments, or inputs to a blocks, are represented within the block with various codes.
Numerical Insert
The round numerical insert is used with the token (10).
move (10) steps
move (10) steps
String Insert
String inserts are created with the token [lorem ipsum]
say [Hi]
say [Hi]
think [bye]
think [bye]
Block Insert
Boolean blocks and Reporter blocks are created with <boolean> and (reporter), respectively.
if <<mouse down?> and <(costume #) = [1]>> then stamp end
if <<mouse down?> and <(costume #) = [1]>> then stamp end
Note that booleans appear like reporter blocks due to a technical limitation.
Color Picker
A color picker is represented with [#hexcode]. #hexcode is a hexadecimal color code.
set pen color to [#00FF00]
set pen color to [#00FF00]
This website can be used to find hexadecimal colors.
Dropdown List
Dropdown lists are created with the code [selection v]
broadcast [start v]
broadcast [start v]
Special Blocks
Some blocks have different code based on their unique shapes and features, as well as technical limitations.
Hat Blocks
The When Green Flag Clicked block can be typed with any of the following syntax:
when green flag clicked when gf clicked when flag clicked
when gf clicked stamp
The When () Clicked block requires the sprite's name to be surrounded by brackets. The sprite's name will appear like a text box due to technical limitations.
When [Sprite1] clicked
when [Sprite1] clicked stamp
The When () key pressed block uses a drop-down menu:
when [space v] key pressed stamp
when [space v] key pressed stamp
Stack Blocks
The Turn () Degrees (clockwise) block can be written two ways:
turn cw () degrees turn right () degrees
turn cw () degrees
The Turn () Degrees (counter-clockwise) block can be written two ways:
turn ccw () degrees turn left () degrees
turn ccw () degrees
C Blocks
C blocks must be closed by typing "end" after the last stack block inside it. However, C blocks at the end of a script will close automatically. For example:
repeat (10) move (5) steps stamp end repeat (10) move (10) steps stamp
Makes:
repeat (10) move (5) steps stamp end repeat (10) move (10) steps stamp
Comments
Comments are created with the //comment token, after a block.
move (10) steps //is that too far?
move (10) steps //is that too far?
Comments are grey on the Scratch Wiki, and light yellow on the forums.
Be Careful making 
and 
Due to the syntax, you must add spaces to both sides of the middle character in the _is_less_than_().png){kind=small}
and _is_greater_than_().png){kind=small}
blocks.
If you forget the spaces, you'll get:
<[]<[]>
<[]>[]>
<[]<[]> <[]>[]>
To correct the problem, insert spaces:
<[] < []>
<[] > []>
<[] < []> <[] > []>
Compile Block Plugin Code
To efficiently generate block plugin code for large scripts, one can use project summaries. After writing the script in Scratch, shift-click the file menu and select "write project summary". Pick a directory. Once the .txt file is generated, it will contain the script in block plugin format, with a few minor differences that can be adjusted.
An alternative is to use LS97's Scratch plugin that correctly exports a script to ScratchBlocks format.
