Subject: 28.1.90; Can local variables be loaded before loading major mode?

From: Ihor Radchenko <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2022 19:44:16 +0800

Hi,

Some user settings in Org mode need to be set before loading the major mode.
Further, some people want to set such settings in individual files using file-local variables.

However, Emacs loads file-local variables only _after_ major mode is being loaded.
As a result, we are getting user requests like https://list.orgmode.org/[email-masked]/T/#u

Currently, Elisp allows manual loading of file-local variables via `hack-local-variables'. However, this function itself is too forceful, and it is running, e.g. in non-file buffers. Moreover, calling `hack-local-variables' does not prevent its subsequent call after Org mode is loaded, which sometimes causes double unsafe variable prompts.
See https://list.orgmode.org/[email-masked]/T/#mab6359ed2107d5515c6bb6b266551f0c5049ceca

Would it be possible in Emacs to implement a function or possibly major-mode option that will make Emacs load local variables before loading major mode, not after?

Best,
Ihor