TLA+

Spec sheet

Purpose

TLA+ is a high-level language for modeling software and hardware systems, especially concurrent and distributed systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Platforms

The Toolbox download instructions cover Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Support

The TLA+ Foundation directs technical questions and issues to the appropriate GitHub issue tracker.Read 9 Oct 2026 · foundation.tlapl.us

License

The TLA+ tools and Toolbox repository is licensed under the MIT License.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Command line and Java

The tools can run from the command line using tla2tools.jar and require Java 11 or later.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Design verification

TLA+ and its tools are intended to help find fundamental design errors that can be difficult and expensive to correct in code.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Editor integration

A Visual Studio Code extension supports TLA+ and PlusCal syntax highlighting, translation, parsing, TLC runs, result visualization, code completion, and formatting.Read 9 Oct 2026 · marketplace.visualstudio.com

IDE features

The TLA+ Toolbox supports editing specifications, running the PlusCal translator and TLC, exploring error traces, and running the proof system.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Known limitations

The Toolbox page notes that it has minor unfixed bugs and that its help pages are its only user manual.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Model checking

TLC checks executable TLA+ specifications for safety and liveness properties and can run across multiple computers or cloud systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

PlusCal

PlusCal describes algorithms and translates them into TLA+ models that can be checked with TLA+ tools.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Proof checking

TLAPS mechanically checks proofs written in TLA+.Read 9 Oct 2026 · lamport.azurewebsites.net

Toolbox maintenance

The repository describes the Eclipse-based Toolbox GUI as currently unmaintained.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Every TLA+ plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Formal Verification Tools#24 of 357.5