From 03cab97dac7d6837c578173c9a0610c8be381c9a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: randogoth <kflux@posteo.de>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:03:34 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] plugin system

---
 README.md          |  43 +++++-
 conversion_core.py | 306 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 markdown_parser.py |   2 +-
 md2mu.py           |  99 +++++++++++++
 md2txt.py          | 341 +++++++++++++--------------------------------
 plugin_registry.py |  25 ++++
 plugins.py         |  34 +++++
 7 files changed, 599 insertions(+), 251 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 conversion_core.py
 create mode 100644 md2mu.py
 create mode 100644 plugin_registry.py
 create mode 100644 plugins.py

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 09bc000..0b0151a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # md2amb utilities
 
-This repository contains command line helpers for transforming Markdown into formats that work well on retro hardware or constrained text viewers.
+This repository contains command line helpers for transforming Markdown into formats that work well on retro hardware or constrained text viewers. A small plugin API lets you mix-and-match parsers and renderers so additional formats can plug into the same preprocessing pipeline.
 
 ## Tools
 
 - `md2amb.py` – converts Markdown into Amber-screen formatted text (see script for details).
-- `md2txt.py` – converts Markdown into 80-column, DOS-compatible plain text with extensive formatting support:
+- `md2txt.py` – converts Markdown into 80-column, DOS-compatible plain text with extensive formatting support. It ships with the default `markdown` parser and `text` renderer plugins and exposes the core pipeline so you can add your own parser or renderer modules:
   - FIGlet-rendered headings (H1–H3) driven by optional YAML frontmatter (`h1_font`, `h2_font`, `h3_font`).
   - H4+ headings rendered in uppercase with dashed underlines.
   - Emphasis styles converted to spaced or delimited characters, e.g. `**bold**` → `B O L D`, `__strong__` → `_s_t_r_o_n_g_`, `~~strike~~` → `~s~t~r~i~k~e~`.
@@ -26,12 +26,14 @@ This repository contains command line helpers for transforming Markdown into for
 ## Usage
 
 ```bash
-python md2txt.py input.md -o output.txt          # convert to DOS-friendly text
-python md2txt.py input.md                         # write result to stdout
-python md2txt.py input.md --width 72             # override column width
+python md2txt.py input.md -o output.txt                         # convert to DOS-friendly text
+python md2txt.py input.md                                      # write result to stdout
+python md2txt.py input.md --width 72                           # override column width
+python md2txt.py input.md --parser markdown --renderer text    # explicitly select defaults
+python md2txt.py input.md --renderer-option width=68           # pass KEY=VALUE to a renderer
 ```
 
-Both scripts accept `--help` for the full option list.
+`--parser` and `--renderer` select a plugin by name (defaults are `markdown` and `text`). Repeatable `--parser-option KEY=VALUE` and `--renderer-option KEY=VALUE` pairs are forwarded to the plugin factories as keyword arguments in addition to the defaults supplied by the CLI. Both scripts accept `--help` for the full option list.
 
 ## FIGlet Fonts via Frontmatter
 
@@ -114,3 +116,32 @@ All values are optional—defaults maintain the legacy behaviour.
 ## Output Line Endings
 
 Generated text uses CRLF line endings to maintain DOS compatibility.
+
+## Plugin Architecture
+
+The conversion pipeline lives in `conversion_core.py` and is exposed via `run_conversion`. It is designed around lightweight factories:
+
+- **Parser factories** receive `base_style: BlockStyle` plus any extra keyword arguments and must return an object with a `parse(lines: Iterable[str]) -> Iterator[BlockEvent | StyleUpdateEvent]` method. The bundled `MarkdownParser` implements this interface.
+- **Renderer factories** receive `frontmatter: FrontMatter` and arbitrary keyword arguments and must return an object that provides `handle_event(event)` and `finalize() -> Any`. The `TextRenderer` returns a list of DOS-friendly output lines; other renderers may return any data appropriate for their target format.
+
+Plugins register themselves through the helpers in `plugins.py`:
+
+```python
+from plugins import register_parser, register_renderer
+
+def my_parser_factory(*, base_style, **options):
+    return MyParser(base_style, **options)
+
+register_parser("my-markdown", my_parser_factory)
+```
+
+```python
+def my_renderer_factory(*, frontmatter, **options):
+    return MyRenderer(frontmatter, target=options.get("target"))
+
+register_renderer("ansi", my_renderer_factory)
+```
+
+Once registered (for example in a small module that imports `md2txt.py`), the new plugins are available via `--parser my-markdown` or `--renderer ansi`. The CLI lists registered plugin names in `--help`, and the helper functions `available_parsers()` / `available_renderers()` return the sorted names if you need to build higher-level tooling.
+
+The shared preprocessing helpers—YAML frontmatter parsing, recursive include expansion, and ASCII art sentinels—also live in `conversion_core.py`, allowing alternate front-ends to reuse exactly the same behaviour without duplicating code.
diff --git a/conversion_core.py b/conversion_core.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7eea5e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/conversion_core.py
@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, Iterator, List, Optional, Protocol, Set, Tuple, TypeVar
+
+from md_types import BlockEvent, BlockStyle, FrontMatter, StyleUpdateEvent
+
+
+FRONTMATTER_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^---\s*$")
+INCLUDE_WIKILINK_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^\s*!\[\[(.+?)\]\]\s*$")
+INCLUDE_DIRECTIVE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^\s*\{\s*\.include\s+(.+?)\s*\}\s*$")
+ASCII_BLOCK_PATTERN = re.compile(
+    r"^\s*#\[(?P<label>[^\]]+)\]\((?P<target>[^)]+)\)\s*(?P<attr>\{\s*:[^}]+\s*\})?\s*$"
+)
+ASCII_INLINE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"#\[(?P<label>[^\]]+)\]\((?P<target>[^)]+)\)")
+MMD_ATTR_TAIL_RE = re.compile(r"(.*?)\s*\{\s*:(.+?)\}\s*$")
+ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX = "\u0000ASCII:"
+
+Event = BlockEvent | StyleUpdateEvent
+RendererOutput = TypeVar("RendererOutput")
+
+
+class Parser(Protocol):
+    def parse(self, lines: Iterable[str]) -> Iterator[Event]:
+        ...
+
+
+class Renderer(Protocol[RendererOutput]):
+    def handle_event(self, event: Event) -> None:
+        ...
+
+    def finalize(self) -> RendererOutput:
+        ...
+
+
+class ParserFactory(Protocol):
+    def __call__(self, *, base_style: BlockStyle, **kwargs: Any) -> Parser:
+        ...
+
+
+class RendererFactory(Protocol[RendererOutput]):
+    def __call__(self, *, frontmatter: FrontMatter, **kwargs: Any) -> Renderer[RendererOutput]:
+        ...
+
+
+def _parse_int(value: Optional[str], default: int = 0) -> int:
+    if value is None:
+        return default
+    match = re.search(r"-?\d+", value)
+    if not match:
+        return default
+    try:
+        return int(match.group())
+    except ValueError:
+        return default
+
+
+def _parse_bool(value: Optional[str], default: bool = False) -> bool:
+    if value is None:
+        return default
+    lowered = value.strip().lower()
+    if lowered in {"true", "yes", "1", "on"}:
+        return True
+    if lowered in {"false", "no", "0", "off"}:
+        return False
+    return default
+
+
+def parse_frontmatter(lines: List[str]) -> Tuple[FrontMatter, List[str]]:
+    if not lines or not FRONTMATTER_PATTERN.match(lines[0]):
+        return FrontMatter(), lines
+    frontmatter: Dict[str, str] = {}
+    idx = 1
+    while idx < len(lines):
+        if FRONTMATTER_PATTERN.match(lines[idx]):
+            break
+        if ":" in lines[idx]:
+            key, value = lines[idx].split(":", 1)
+            frontmatter[key.strip()] = value.strip()
+        idx += 1
+    if idx >= len(lines):
+        return FrontMatter(), lines
+    remaining = lines[idx + 1 :] if idx + 1 < len(lines) else []
+    paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("paragraph_spacing")
+    if paragraph_spacing_value is None:
+        paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("lines_between_paragraphs")
+    if paragraph_spacing_value is None:
+        paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("paragraph_lines")
+    default_wrap_indent = 2
+    wrap_code_blocks = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("wrap_code_blocks"), False)
+    code_block_wrap_indent = default_wrap_indent if wrap_code_blocks else 0
+    code_block_wrap_value = frontmatter.get("code_block_wrap")
+    if code_block_wrap_value is not None:
+        normalized_wrap = code_block_wrap_value.strip()
+        if normalized_wrap:
+            if re.fullmatch(r"-?\d+", normalized_wrap):
+                wrap_code_blocks = True
+                code_block_wrap_indent = max(0, _parse_int(normalized_wrap, default_wrap_indent))
+            else:
+                wrap_flag = _parse_bool(normalized_wrap, wrap_code_blocks)
+                wrap_code_blocks = wrap_flag
+                code_block_wrap_indent = default_wrap_indent if wrap_flag else 0
+    code_block_line_numbers = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("code_block_line_numbers"), True)
+    blockquote_bars = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("blockquote_bars"), True)
+    list_marker_indent = max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("list_marker_indent"), 0))
+    list_text_spacing = max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("list_text_spacing"), 1))
+    fm = FrontMatter(
+        h1_font=frontmatter.get("h1_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
+        h2_font=frontmatter.get("h2_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
+        h3_font=frontmatter.get("h3_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
+        margin_left=_parse_int(frontmatter.get("margin_left"), 0),
+        margin_right=_parse_int(frontmatter.get("margin_right"), 0),
+        paragraph_spacing=max(0, _parse_int(paragraph_spacing_value, 0)),
+        hyphenate=_parse_bool(frontmatter.get("hyphenate"), False),
+        hyphen_lang=(frontmatter.get("hyphen_lang") or "en_US").strip() or "en_US",
+        figlet_fallback=_parse_bool(frontmatter.get("figlet_fallback"), False),
+        header_spacing=max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("header_spacing"), 2)),
+        wrap_code_blocks=wrap_code_blocks,
+        code_block_wrap_indent=code_block_wrap_indent,
+        code_block_line_numbers=code_block_line_numbers,
+        blockquote_bars=blockquote_bars,
+        list_marker_indent=list_marker_indent,
+        list_text_spacing=list_text_spacing,
+    )
+    return fm, remaining
+
+
+def read_lines(path: Path) -> List[str]:
+    with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+        return handle.readlines()
+
+
+def expand_includes(
+    lines: List[str],
+    base_dir: Path,
+    include_stack: Set[Path],
+) -> List[str]:
+    expanded: List[str] = []
+    for line in lines:
+        ascii_segments = _extract_ascii_segments(line, base_dir)
+        if ascii_segments is not None:
+            for sentinel_line, attr_line in ascii_segments:
+                expanded.append(sentinel_line)
+                if attr_line is not None:
+                    expanded.append(attr_line)
+            continue
+        target = _extract_include_target(line)
+        if target is None:
+            expanded.append(line)
+            continue
+        target_path = (base_dir / target).resolve()
+        if target_path in include_stack:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Circular include detected for '{target_path}'.")
+        if not target_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Included file '{target_path}' was not found.")
+        include_stack.add(target_path)
+        included_lines = read_lines(target_path)
+        _, include_body = parse_frontmatter(included_lines)
+        included_content = expand_includes(include_body, target_path.parent, include_stack)
+        expanded.extend(included_content)
+        include_stack.remove(target_path)
+    return expanded
+
+
+def _extract_include_target(line: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    stripped = line.rstrip("\n")
+    match = INCLUDE_WIKILINK_PATTERN.match(stripped)
+    if match:
+        return _normalize_include_target(match.group(1))
+    match = INCLUDE_DIRECTIVE_PATTERN.match(stripped)
+    if match:
+        return _normalize_include_target(match.group(1))
+    return None
+
+
+def _normalize_include_target(value: str) -> str:
+    trimmed = value.strip()
+    if len(trimmed) >= 2 and ((trimmed[0] == trimmed[-1]) and trimmed[0] in {"'", '"'}):
+        trimmed = trimmed[1:-1].strip()
+    return trimmed
+
+
+def _extract_ascii_segments(line: str, base_dir: Path) -> Optional[List[Tuple[str, Optional[str]]]]:
+    stripped_line = line.rstrip("\n")
+    block_match = ASCII_BLOCK_PATTERN.match(stripped_line)
+    if block_match:
+        label = block_match.group("label")
+        target = block_match.group("target")
+        attr_text = block_match.group("attr")
+        sentinel = _make_ascii_sentinel(label, target, base_dir)
+        attr_line = f"{attr_text}\n" if attr_text else None
+        return [(sentinel, attr_line)]
+
+    matches = list(ASCII_INLINE_PATTERN.finditer(stripped_line))
+    if not matches:
+        return None
+
+    pieces: List[Dict[str, Optional[str]]] = []
+    last_end = 0
+    for match in matches:
+        prefix = stripped_line[last_end : match.start()]
+        if prefix.strip():
+            return None
+        label = match.group("label")
+        target = match.group("target")
+        block_type, block_name, align = _parse_ascii_label(label)
+        normalized_target = _normalize_include_target(target)
+        target_path = (base_dir / normalized_target).resolve()
+        if not target_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"ASCII art file '{target_path}' was not found.")
+        pieces.append(
+            {
+                "type": block_type,
+                "name": block_name,
+                "path": str(target_path),
+                "align": align,
+            }
+        )
+        last_end = match.end()
+
+    suffix = stripped_line[last_end:]
+    if suffix.strip():
+        return None
+
+    if not pieces:
+        return None
+
+    sentinel = f"{ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX}{json.dumps({'pieces': pieces})}\n"
+    return [(sentinel, None)]
+
+
+def _make_ascii_sentinel(label: str, target: str, base_dir: Path) -> str:
+    block_type, block_name, align = _parse_ascii_label(label)
+    normalized_target = _normalize_include_target(target)
+    target_path = (base_dir / normalized_target).resolve()
+    if not target_path.exists():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(f"ASCII art file '{target_path}' was not found.")
+    payload = {
+        "pieces": [
+            {
+                "type": block_type,
+                "name": block_name,
+                "path": str(target_path),
+                "align": align,
+            }
+        ]
+    }
+    return f"{ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX}{json.dumps(payload)}\n"
+
+
+def _parse_ascii_label(label: str) -> Tuple[str, str, Optional[str]]:
+    tokens = label.strip().split()
+    non_colon: List[str] = []
+    align: Optional[str] = None
+    for token in tokens:
+        if token.startswith(":"):
+            tag = token[1:].strip().lower()
+            if tag in {"left", "right", "center", "centre"}:
+                align = "center" if tag in {"center", "centre"} else tag
+        else:
+            non_colon.append(token)
+
+    block_type = non_colon[0] if non_colon else "custom"
+    block_name = " ".join(non_colon[1:]) if len(non_colon) > 1 else ""
+    return block_type, block_name, align
+
+
+def run_pipeline(
+    lines: Iterable[str],
+    *,
+    parser: Parser,
+    renderer: Renderer[RendererOutput],
+    base_path: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> RendererOutput:
+    base_dir = (base_path or Path.cwd()).resolve()
+    expanded_lines = expand_includes(list(lines), base_dir, set())
+    for event in parser.parse(expanded_lines):
+        renderer.handle_event(event)
+    return renderer.finalize()
+
+
+def run_conversion(
+    lines: Iterable[str],
+    *,
+    frontmatter: FrontMatter,
+    parser_factory: ParserFactory,
+    renderer_factory: RendererFactory[RendererOutput],
+    parser_options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    renderer_options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    base_path: Optional[Path] = None,
+) -> RendererOutput:
+    parser = parser_factory(
+        base_style=BlockStyle(
+            align="left",
+            margin_left=max(0, frontmatter.margin_left),
+            margin_right=max(0, frontmatter.margin_right),
+        ),
+        **(parser_options or {}),
+    )
+    renderer = renderer_factory(
+        frontmatter=frontmatter,
+        **(renderer_options or {}),
+    )
+    return run_pipeline(lines, parser=parser, renderer=renderer, base_path=base_path)
diff --git a/markdown_parser.py b/markdown_parser.py
index a49086f..fe04876 100644
--- a/markdown_parser.py
+++ b/markdown_parser.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import re
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Dict, Iterable, Iterator, List, Optional, Union
 
+from conversion_core import ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX
 from md_types import (
     AsciiArtPayload,
     AsciiArtPiece,
@@ -31,7 +32,6 @@ PARA_OPEN_RE = re.compile(r"^\s*<p\b([^>]*)>\s*$", re.IGNORECASE)
 PARA_CLOSE_RE = re.compile(r"^\s*</p>\s*$", re.IGNORECASE)
 MMD_ATTR_LINE_RE = re.compile(r"^\{\s*:(.+)\}\s*$")
 MMD_ATTR_TAIL_RE = re.compile(r"(.*?)\s*\{\s*:(.+?)\}\s*$")
-ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX = "\u0000ASCII:"
 
 
 class MarkdownParser:
diff --git a/md2mu.py b/md2mu.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79f400e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/md2mu.py
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+from mistune.core import BlockState
+from mistune.util import strip_end
+from mistune.renderers._list import render_list
+from mistune.renderers.markdown import MarkdownRenderer
+from typing import Dict, Any
+from textwrap import indent
+
+class MicronRenderer(MarkdownRenderer):
+    """A renderer to format Micron text."""
+    NAME = 'micron'
+
+    def __call__(self, tokens, state: BlockState):
+        out = self.render_tokens(tokens, state)
+        # special handle for line breaks
+        out += '\n\n'.join(self.render_referrences(state)) + '\n'
+        return strip_end(out)
+    
+    def render_children(self, token, state: BlockState):
+        children = token['children']
+        return self.render_tokens(children, state)
+
+    def text(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return token['raw']
+    
+    def emphasis(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '`*' + self.render_children(token, state) + '`*'
+
+    def strong(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '`!' + self.render_children(token, state) + '`!'
+    
+    def link(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        label = token.get('label')
+        text = self.render_children(token, state)
+        out = '`[' + text + '`'
+        if label:
+            return out + '`[' + label + '`'
+        attrs = token['attrs']
+        url = attrs['url']
+        if text == url:
+            return '`[' + text + '`'
+        elif 'mailto:' + text == url:
+            return '`[' + text + '`'
+        out += url
+        return out + ']'
+    
+    def image(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return self.link(token, state)
+
+    def codespan(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '`=' + token['raw'] + '`='
+
+    def linebreak(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '  \n'
+    
+    def softbreak(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '\n'
+    
+    def blank_line(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return ''
+    
+    def inline_html(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return ''
+    
+    def paragraph(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        text = self.render_children(token, state)
+        return text + '\n\n'
+
+    def heading(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        level = token['attrs']['level']
+        if level > 3:
+            level = 3
+        marker = '>' * level
+        text = self.render_children(token, state)
+        return marker + ' ' + text + '\n\n'
+    def thematic_break(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return '-\n\n'
+    
+    def block_text(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return self.render_children(token, state) + '\n'
+    
+    def block_code(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        code = token['raw']
+        if code and code[-1] != '\n':
+            code += '\n'
+        marker = '`='
+        return marker + '\n' + code + marker + '\n\n'
+    
+    def block_quote(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        text = indent(self.render_children(token, state), '>>>>')
+        return text + '\n\n'
+    
+    def block_html(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return ''
+    
+    def block_error(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return ''
+    
+    def list(self, token: Dict[str, Any], state: BlockState) -> str:
+        return render_list(self, token, state)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/md2txt.py b/md2txt.py
index e115f91..25388b2 100644
--- a/md2txt.py
+++ b/md2txt.py
@@ -5,49 +5,51 @@ Convert Markdown into 80-column DOS-compatible plain text.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
-import json
-import re
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Iterable, List, Optional, Set, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional, Tuple
 
+from conversion_core import parse_frontmatter, read_lines, run_conversion
 from md_types import BlockStyle, FrontMatter
 from markdown_parser import MarkdownParser
+from plugins import (
+    available_parsers,
+    available_renderers,
+    get_parser_factory,
+    get_renderer_factory,
+    register_parser,
+    register_renderer,
+)
 from text_renderer import TextRenderer
 
 
-FRONTMATTER_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^---\s*$")
-INCLUDE_WIKILINK_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^\s*!\[\[(.+?)\]\]\s*$")
-INCLUDE_DIRECTIVE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^\s*\{\s*\.include\s+(.+?)\s*\}\s*$")
-ASCII_BLOCK_PATTERN = re.compile(
-    r"^\s*#\[(?P<label>[^\]]+)\]\((?P<target>[^)]+)\)\s*(?P<attr>\{\s*:[^}]+\s*\})?\s*$"
-)
-ASCII_INLINE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"#\[(?P<label>[^\]]+)\]\((?P<target>[^)]+)\)")
-MMD_ATTR_TAIL_RE = re.compile(r"(.*?)\s*\{\s*:(.+?)\}\s*$")
-ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX = "\u0000ASCII:"
+def _split_option(token: str) -> Tuple[str, str]:
+    if "=" not in token:
+        raise argparse.ArgumentTypeError("Expected KEY=VALUE format.")
+    key, value = token.split("=", 1)
+    key = key.strip()
+    if not key:
+        raise argparse.ArgumentTypeError("Option key cannot be empty.")
+    return key, value
 
 
-def _parse_int(value: Optional[str], default: int = 0) -> int:
-    if value is None:
-        return default
-    match = re.search(r"-?\d+", value)
-    if not match:
-        return default
-    try:
-        return int(match.group())
-    except ValueError:
-        return default
+def _markdown_parser_factory(*, base_style: BlockStyle, **_: Any) -> MarkdownParser:
+    return MarkdownParser(base_style)
 
 
-def _parse_bool(value: Optional[str], default: bool = False) -> bool:
-    if value is None:
-        return default
-    lowered = value.strip().lower()
-    if lowered in {"true", "yes", "1", "on"}:
-        return True
-    if lowered in {"false", "no", "0", "off"}:
-        return False
-    return default
+def _text_renderer_factory(*, frontmatter: FrontMatter, width: int = 80, **_: Any) -> TextRenderer:
+    return TextRenderer(width=width, frontmatter=frontmatter)
+
+
+try:
+    register_parser("markdown", _markdown_parser_factory)
+except ValueError:
+    pass
+
+try:
+    register_renderer("text", _text_renderer_factory)
+except ValueError:
+    pass
 
 
 def convert_markdown(
@@ -56,215 +58,28 @@ def convert_markdown(
     width: int,
     frontmatter: FrontMatter,
     base_path: Optional[Path] = None,
+    parser_name: str = "markdown",
+    renderer_name: str = "text",
+    parser_options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    renderer_options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
 ) -> List[str]:
-    base_dir = (base_path or Path.cwd()).resolve()
-    expanded_lines = _expand_includes(list(lines), base_dir, set())
-    base_style = BlockStyle(
-        align="left",
-        margin_left=max(0, frontmatter.margin_left),
-        margin_right=max(0, frontmatter.margin_right),
+    parser_factory = get_parser_factory(parser_name)
+    renderer_factory = get_renderer_factory(renderer_name)
+    effective_renderer_options: Dict[str, Any] = {"width": width}
+    if renderer_options:
+        effective_renderer_options.update(renderer_options)
+    rendered = run_conversion(
+        lines,
+        frontmatter=frontmatter,
+        parser_factory=parser_factory,
+        parser_options=parser_options,
+        renderer_factory=renderer_factory,
+        renderer_options=effective_renderer_options,
+        base_path=base_path,
     )
-    parser = MarkdownParser(base_style)
-    renderer = TextRenderer(width=width, frontmatter=frontmatter)
-    for event in parser.parse(expanded_lines):
-        renderer.handle_event(event)
-    return renderer.finalize()
-
-
-def _expand_includes(lines: List[str], base_dir: Path, include_stack: Set[Path]) -> List[str]:
-    expanded: List[str] = []
-    for line in lines:
-        ascii_segments = _extract_ascii_segments(line, base_dir)
-        if ascii_segments is not None:
-            for sentinel_line, attr_line in ascii_segments:
-                expanded.append(sentinel_line)
-                if attr_line is not None:
-                    expanded.append(attr_line)
-            continue
-        target = _extract_include_target(line)
-        if target is None:
-            expanded.append(line)
-            continue
-        target_path = (base_dir / target).resolve()
-        if target_path in include_stack:
-            raise RuntimeError(f"Circular include detected for '{target_path}'.")
-        if not target_path.exists():
-            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Included file '{target_path}' was not found.")
-        include_stack.add(target_path)
-        included_lines = read_lines(target_path)
-        _, include_body = parse_frontmatter(included_lines)
-        included_content = _expand_includes(include_body, target_path.parent, include_stack)
-        expanded.extend(included_content)
-        include_stack.remove(target_path)
-    return expanded
-
-
-def _extract_include_target(line: str) -> Optional[str]:
-    stripped = line.rstrip("\n")
-    match = INCLUDE_WIKILINK_PATTERN.match(stripped)
-    if match:
-        return _normalize_include_target(match.group(1))
-    match = INCLUDE_DIRECTIVE_PATTERN.match(stripped)
-    if match:
-        return _normalize_include_target(match.group(1))
-    return None
-
-
-def _normalize_include_target(value: str) -> str:
-    trimmed = value.strip()
-    if len(trimmed) >= 2 and ((trimmed[0] == trimmed[-1]) and trimmed[0] in {"'", '"'}):
-        trimmed = trimmed[1:-1].strip()
-    return trimmed
-
-
-def _extract_ascii_segments(line: str, base_dir: Path) -> Optional[List[Tuple[str, Optional[str]]]]:
-    stripped_line = line.rstrip("\n")
-    block_match = ASCII_BLOCK_PATTERN.match(stripped_line)
-    if block_match:
-        label = block_match.group("label")
-        target = block_match.group("target")
-        attr_text = block_match.group("attr")
-        sentinel = _make_ascii_sentinel(label, target, base_dir)
-        attr_line = f"{attr_text}\n" if attr_text else None
-        return [(sentinel, attr_line)]
-
-    matches = list(ASCII_INLINE_PATTERN.finditer(stripped_line))
-    if not matches:
-        return None
-
-    pieces: List[dict] = []
-    last_end = 0
-    for match in matches:
-        prefix = stripped_line[last_end : match.start()]
-        if prefix.strip():
-            return None
-        label = match.group("label")
-        target = match.group("target")
-        block_type, block_name, align = _parse_ascii_label(label)
-        normalized_target = _normalize_include_target(target)
-        target_path = (base_dir / normalized_target).resolve()
-        if not target_path.exists():
-            raise FileNotFoundError(f"ASCII art file '{target_path}' was not found.")
-        pieces.append(
-            {
-                "type": block_type,
-                "name": block_name,
-                "path": str(target_path),
-                "align": align,
-            }
-        )
-        last_end = match.end()
-
-    suffix = stripped_line[last_end:]
-    if suffix.strip():
-        return None
-
-    if not pieces:
-        return None
-
-    sentinel = f"{ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX}{json.dumps({'pieces': pieces})}\n"
-    return [(sentinel, None)]
-
-
-def _make_ascii_sentinel(label: str, target: str, base_dir: Path) -> str:
-    block_type, block_name, align = _parse_ascii_label(label)
-    normalized_target = _normalize_include_target(target)
-    target_path = (base_dir / normalized_target).resolve()
-    if not target_path.exists():
-        raise FileNotFoundError(f"ASCII art file '{target_path}' was not found.")
-    payload = {
-        "pieces": [
-            {
-                "type": block_type,
-                "name": block_name,
-                "path": str(target_path),
-                "align": align,
-            }
-        ]
-    }
-    return f"{ASCII_SENTINEL_PREFIX}{json.dumps(payload)}\n"
-
-
-def _parse_ascii_label(label: str) -> Tuple[str, str, Optional[str]]:
-    tokens = label.strip().split()
-    non_colon: List[str] = []
-    align: Optional[str] = None
-    for token in tokens:
-        if token.startswith(":"):
-            tag = token[1:].strip().lower()
-            if tag in {"left", "right", "center", "centre"}:
-                align = "center" if tag in {"center", "centre"} else tag
-            # ignore other colon tags for now
-        else:
-            non_colon.append(token)
-
-    block_type = non_colon[0] if non_colon else "custom"
-    block_name = " ".join(non_colon[1:]) if len(non_colon) > 1 else ""
-    return block_type, block_name, align
-
-
-def parse_frontmatter(lines: List[str]) -> Tuple[FrontMatter, List[str]]:
-    if not lines or not FRONTMATTER_PATTERN.match(lines[0]):
-        return FrontMatter(), lines
-    frontmatter: dict[str, str] = {}
-    idx = 1
-    while idx < len(lines):
-        if FRONTMATTER_PATTERN.match(lines[idx]):
-            break
-        if ":" in lines[idx]:
-            key, value = lines[idx].split(":", 1)
-            frontmatter[key.strip()] = value.strip()
-        idx += 1
-    if idx >= len(lines):
-        return FrontMatter(), lines
-    remaining = lines[idx + 1 :] if idx + 1 < len(lines) else []
-    paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("paragraph_spacing")
-    if paragraph_spacing_value is None:
-        paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("lines_between_paragraphs")
-    if paragraph_spacing_value is None:
-        paragraph_spacing_value = frontmatter.get("paragraph_lines")
-    default_wrap_indent = 2
-    wrap_code_blocks = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("wrap_code_blocks"), False)
-    code_block_wrap_indent = default_wrap_indent if wrap_code_blocks else 0
-    code_block_wrap_value = frontmatter.get("code_block_wrap")
-    if code_block_wrap_value is not None:
-        normalized_wrap = code_block_wrap_value.strip()
-        if normalized_wrap:
-            if re.fullmatch(r"-?\d+", normalized_wrap):
-                wrap_code_blocks = True
-                code_block_wrap_indent = max(0, _parse_int(normalized_wrap, default_wrap_indent))
-            else:
-                wrap_flag = _parse_bool(normalized_wrap, wrap_code_blocks)
-                wrap_code_blocks = wrap_flag
-                code_block_wrap_indent = default_wrap_indent if wrap_flag else 0
-    code_block_line_numbers = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("code_block_line_numbers"), True)
-    blockquote_bars = _parse_bool(frontmatter.get("blockquote_bars"), True)
-    list_marker_indent = max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("list_marker_indent"), 0))
-    list_text_spacing = max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("list_text_spacing"), 1))
-    fm = FrontMatter(
-        h1_font=frontmatter.get("h1_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
-        h2_font=frontmatter.get("h2_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
-        h3_font=frontmatter.get("h3_font", "standard").strip() or "standard",
-        margin_left=_parse_int(frontmatter.get("margin_left"), 0),
-        margin_right=_parse_int(frontmatter.get("margin_right"), 0),
-        paragraph_spacing=max(0, _parse_int(paragraph_spacing_value, 0)),
-        hyphenate=_parse_bool(frontmatter.get("hyphenate"), False),
-        hyphen_lang=(frontmatter.get("hyphen_lang") or "en_US").strip() or "en_US",
-        figlet_fallback=_parse_bool(frontmatter.get("figlet_fallback"), False),
-        header_spacing=max(0, _parse_int(frontmatter.get("header_spacing"), 2)),
-        wrap_code_blocks=wrap_code_blocks,
-        code_block_wrap_indent=code_block_wrap_indent,
-        code_block_line_numbers=code_block_line_numbers,
-        blockquote_bars=blockquote_bars,
-        list_marker_indent=list_marker_indent,
-        list_text_spacing=list_text_spacing,
-    )
-    return fm, remaining
-
-
-def read_lines(path: Path) -> List[str]:
-    with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
-        return handle.readlines()
+    if not isinstance(rendered, list):
+        raise TypeError("Renderer plugin returned unsupported output for md2txt CLI.")
+    return rendered
 
 
 def write_output(path: Optional[Path], lines: List[str]) -> None:
@@ -281,6 +96,34 @@ def build_parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument("input_path", type=Path, help="Path to the Markdown input file.")
     parser.add_argument("-o", "--output", type=Path, help="Optional path to write the resulting text file.")
     parser.add_argument("--width", type=int, default=80, help="Maximum column width (default: 80).")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--parser",
+        default="markdown",
+        choices=available_parsers() or ["markdown"],
+        help="Name of the parser plugin to use.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--renderer",
+        default="text",
+        choices=available_renderers() or ["text"],
+        help="Name of the renderer plugin to use.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--parser-option",
+        action="append",
+        default=[],
+        type=_split_option,
+        metavar="KEY=VALUE",
+        help="Additional parser option in KEY=VALUE form (may repeat).",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--renderer-option",
+        action="append",
+        default=[],
+        type=_split_option,
+        metavar="KEY=VALUE",
+        help="Additional renderer option in KEY=VALUE form (may repeat).",
+    )
     return parser
 
 
@@ -289,12 +132,22 @@ def main(argv: Optional[List[str]] = None) -> int:
     args = parser.parse_args(argv)
     lines = read_lines(args.input_path)
     frontmatter, content = parse_frontmatter(lines)
-    converted_lines = convert_markdown(
-        content,
-        width=args.width,
-        frontmatter=frontmatter,
-        base_path=args.input_path.parent,
-    )
+    parser_options = dict(args.parser_option or [])
+    renderer_options = dict(args.renderer_option or [])
+    try:
+        converted_lines = convert_markdown(
+            content,
+            width=args.width,
+            frontmatter=frontmatter,
+            base_path=args.input_path.parent,
+            parser_name=args.parser,
+            renderer_name=args.renderer,
+            parser_options=parser_options or None,
+            renderer_options=renderer_options or None,
+        )
+    except (KeyError, TypeError) as exc:
+        sys.stderr.write(f"{exc}\n")
+        return 2
     write_output(args.output, converted_lines)
     return 0
 
diff --git a/plugin_registry.py b/plugin_registry.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db6e190
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugin_registry.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Dict, Generic, List, TypeVar
+
+
+T = TypeVar("T")
+
+
+class PluginRegistry(Generic[T]):
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._factories: Dict[str, T] = {}
+
+    def register(self, name: str, factory: T) -> None:
+        if name in self._factories:
+            raise ValueError(f"Plugin '{name}' is already registered.")
+        self._factories[name] = factory
+
+    def get(self, name: str) -> T:
+        try:
+            return self._factories[name]
+        except KeyError as exc:
+            raise KeyError(f"Plugin '{name}' is not registered.") from exc
+
+    def names(self) -> List[str]:
+        return sorted(self._factories.keys())
diff --git a/plugins.py b/plugins.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..397918f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Any
+
+from conversion_core import ParserFactory, RendererFactory
+from plugin_registry import PluginRegistry
+
+
+parser_plugins = PluginRegistry[ParserFactory]()
+renderer_plugins = PluginRegistry[RendererFactory[Any]]()
+
+
+def register_parser(name: str, factory: ParserFactory) -> None:
+    parser_plugins.register(name, factory)
+
+
+def register_renderer(name: str, factory: RendererFactory[Any]) -> None:
+    renderer_plugins.register(name, factory)
+
+
+def get_parser_factory(name: str) -> ParserFactory:
+    return parser_plugins.get(name)
+
+
+def get_renderer_factory(name: str) -> RendererFactory[Any]:
+    return renderer_plugins.get(name)
+
+
+def available_parsers() -> list[str]:
+    return parser_plugins.names()
+
+
+def available_renderers() -> list[str]:
+    return renderer_plugins.names()