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Support File Search Path

Short answer

The ordered list of folders AutoCAD scans to find LISP, font, menu, and template files.

AutoCAD's Support File Search Path (Options → Files) is the ordered list of folders AutoCAD checks when it needs to load a LISP file, a font, a hatch pattern, a CUIX, or any other support resource. Putting your routine's folder on the search path means you can (load "myroutine") without specifying a full path, and ACAD.lsp/acaddoc.lsp will be found there. Most installer-based plugins prepend their folder to the search path automatically.

Related guides

How to Auto-Load a LISP Routine When AutoCAD Starts

Four ways to make a LISP routine load automatically — Startup Suite, ACAD.lsp, acaddoc.lsp, and Trusted Locations — and which to pick.

Related terms

AutoLISP

Autodesk's dialect of LISP, built into AutoCAD since 1986, used to write custom commands and automate drawings.

ACAD.lsp

A LISP file AutoCAD looks for on every session start and loads automatically — the standard place to autoload routines.

acaddoc.lsp

A LISP file AutoCAD loads every time a drawing is opened, used for per-document setup and (defun S::STARTUP).