What is the CR file format?
Files with the .cr extension store source code for CRiSP editor macros. .cr was a format associated with the BRIEF text editor for MS-DOS, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. BRIEF was ported to Unix systems, and many new functions were added over time, making it a popular choice among programmers. Versions for Windows, Linux, and macOS are available through the CRiSP programmer's editor, developed by Vital. .cr macro files are based on the Crunch scripting language, which closely resembles C source code.
.cr files are used in CRiSP to store macro definitions. They can be used to customize the application and change its behavior. The Crunch scripting language offers backward compatibility with BRIEF macros and Lisp. The application is heavily based on macros, and users can easily customize their editing experience. Full documentation is provided upon purchasing a software license. CRiSP continues to be distributed and maintained as a cross-platform programmer's editor.
Because .cr is plain text with no binary signature, any text or code editor can open these files without CRiSP itself. Note that .cr is also the source file extension for the Crystal programming language - an entirely unrelated modern use of the same extension.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA .cr is plain-text source code - harmless to open in an editor. The only caution is that source code can contain instructions that are harmful when compiled and run; review code from untrusted sources before building it. Avoid sketchy "open any .cr" download sites.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMECRiSP Source Code Fileaka CRiSP source file, CRiSP project source
DEVELOPERVital (CRiSP programmer's editor)since 1990s (CRiSP programmer's editor era)
CATEGORYDeveloper Files
MIME TYPEtext/plain
TYPEPlain-text source code (editor-associated)
This extension is also used by…
- Crystal language source file (.cr) - Source code for the Crystal programming language (Ruby-like syntax, compiled) - by far the most common modern meaning of .cr.
- Canon RAW image (.crw/.cr2/.cr3) - Canon camera raw photos use .crw/.cr2/.cr3, occasionally abbreviated 'cr'; these are binary images, not source code.
- Win32 / driver resource files - Some legacy toolchains used .cr for compiled-resource or driver artifacts; rare.
Programs that open CR files
Windows3 apps
CRiSP editor
Paid Open the .cr in CRiSP, the editor it is associated with (commercial; the old crisp.demon.co.uk link is dead). 
Visual Studio Code
Free File > Open - it is plain text; install the Crystal extension if it is Crystal source. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
Vim / VS Code / any editor
Open-source Open the .cr in any text/code editor; for Crystal source, install the Crystal compiler to build it. Technical details
deep spec| File type | Plain-text source code |
| Scripting language | Crunch - a C-like macro scripting language specific to the CRiSP editor |
| MIME type | text/plain |
| Character encoding | ASCII / UTF-8 |
| Binary signature | None - plain-text format identified by extension, not a file header |
| File structure | Line-oriented text; no required header or footer |
| Associated application | CRiSP programmer's editor by Vital |
| Supported platforms | Windows, Linux, Unix, macOS |
| BRIEF macro compatibility | Crunch is backward-compatible with legacy BRIEF editor macro syntax (MS-DOS era) |
| Lisp compatibility | Crunch scripting also supports Lisp-compatible macro syntax |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 500 KB |
| Extension ambiguity | `.cr` is also used as the source file extension for the Crystal programming language (unrelated) |
| Macro function | Macros can bind keystrokes, automate editing tasks, and extend CRiSP editor behavior |
| Openable without host app | Readable and editable in any plain-text or code editor without CRiSP installed |
| Released | 1990s (CRiSP programmer's editor era) |
| Latest version | CRiSP editor still distributed; .cr association unchanged |
CR conversions
Community Q&A
asked by users
S
Frequently asked questions
What is a .CR file?
In this database it is CRiSP source code - a plain-text program file linked to the CRiSP editor. Today, '.cr' most often means a Crystal-language source file.
How do I open a .cr file?
Open it in any code editor: VS Code, Sublime Text, Notepad++ or Vim. It is plain text.
Is a .cr file the same as a Canon .cr2 photo?
No. Canon raw images use .cr2/.cr3 and are binary photo files. A source-code .cr is readable text.
How do I run/compile a .cr file?
If it is Crystal source, install the Crystal compiler and run 'crystal build yourfile.cr'. CRiSP-edited C/C++ source compiles with your normal toolchain.
Is the CRiSP editor still available?
Yes - the historical crisp.demon.co.uk link is dead, but CRiSP is still distributed (crisp.com). Any modern editor also opens .cr files since they are plain text.
References
1CRiSP programmer's editorwww.crisp.com
2Crystal programming language (.cr)crystal-lang.org
