diff --git a/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.lua b/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eedf551aa6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,358 @@
+-- Interactive REPL (read-evaluate-print-loop) for the Lua scripting engine
+-- accessible over serial, with line editing, history, and output formatting.
+
+-- 0-based index of Scripting protocol port to use, or nil to use MAVLink
+local PORT_IDX = 0
+local MAX_HISTORY = 50 -- number of lines of history to keep (must be >= 1)
+local VERSION = "v1.0" -- version is convenience for the user
+
+local port
+if PORT_IDX == nil then
+  port = require("mavport")
+else
+  port = serial:find_serial(PORT_IDX)
+end
+assert(port, "REPL scripting port not configured")
+
+-- scan through parameters to find our port and grab its baud rate
+do
+  local serial_info = ""
+  local baud = 115200
+  if PORT_IDX ~= nil then
+    local port_num = 0
+    while PORT_IDX >= 0 and port_num <= 9 do
+      local protocol = param:get(("SERIAL%d_PROTOCOL"):format(port_num))
+      port_num = port_num + 1
+      if protocol == 28 then PORT_IDX = PORT_IDX - 1 end
+    end
+    if PORT_IDX == -1 then -- correct port index found
+      port_num = port_num - 1
+      baud = param:get(("SERIAL%d_BAUD"):format(port_num)) or 115200
+      serial_info = (" on SERIAL%d, BAUD=%d"):format(port_num, baud)
+    end
+  end
+  -- if we can't find the right port, the baud probably does not matter
+  -- (e.g. CAN or network port)
+  port:begin(baud)
+
+  gcs:send_text(6, "Lua REPL "..VERSION.." starting"..serial_info)
+end
+
+-- grab things we use from the environment in case the user messes them up
+local string = string
+local table = table
+
+-- declaration of main state variable and functions
+local state_func, state_read, state_eval, state_print
+
+-- write the string s to the port, buffering if not all could be written.
+-- buffer starts of with the first message and prompt
+local tx_buf = {"\r\n\r\nLua REPL "..VERSION.." started.\r\n> "}
+local writestring
+if port.writestring then -- use more efficient method if we have it
+  writestring = function(s)
+    if tx_buf then -- stuff already in the buffer?
+      tx_buf[#tx_buf+1] = s -- this needs to go after
+    else
+      local written = port:writestring(s)
+      if written < #s then
+        -- write was short i.e. port buffer is full. buffer the rest of the
+        -- string ourselves and transmit it later
+        tx_buf = { s:sub(written+1) }
+      end
+    end
+  end
+else
+  writestring = function(s)
+    if tx_buf then -- stuff already in the buffer?
+      tx_buf[#tx_buf+1] = s -- this needs to go after
+    else
+      for ci = 1, #s do
+        if port:write(s:byte(ci)) == 0 then
+          -- write failed i.e. port buffer is full. we now buffer the rest of
+          -- the string ourselves and transmit it later
+          tx_buf = { s:sub(ci) }
+          break
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+-- don't use print substitute in the REPL's code (e.g. for debugging the REPL)
+local print = print -- luacheck: ignore 211 (unused variable warning)
+
+-- substitute print function for within the REPL that prints to the port
+function _ENV.print(...)
+  local t = table.pack(...)
+  for i = 1, t.n do
+    writestring(tostring(t[i]))
+    writestring((i ~= t.n) and "\t" or "\r\n")
+  end
+end
+
+-- write the character c to the port, buffering if failed
+local function writechar(c)
+  -- buffer character if stuff already in buffer or write fails
+  if tx_buf or port:write(c) == 0 then
+    tx_buf[#tx_buf+1] = string.char(c) -- massive overhead...
+  end
+end
+
+local function writeobj(o)
+  if type(o) == "table" then
+    writestring("{ ")
+    for k, v in pairs(o) do
+      if type(k) ~= "number" then k = '"'..k..'"' end
+      writestring("["..k.."] = ")
+      writeobj(v)
+      writestring(", ")
+    end
+    writestring("}")
+  else
+    writestring(tostring(o))
+  end
+end
+
+local curr_line = nil -- table of line bytes, or nil if viewing history
+local curr_pos = 1 -- position the next character will be put at
+local curr_esc = nil -- table of escape sequence bytes
+
+local eval_pieces = {} -- pieces of code being evaluated
+
+local history_lines = {""} -- lines in the history (one is always being edited)
+local history_pos = 1 -- position in the history being edited
+
+local function writeprompt()
+  writestring((#eval_pieces > 0) and ">> " or "> ")
+end
+
+local function movehistory(dir)
+  if curr_line then -- current line was edited, store it in history
+    history_lines[history_pos] = string.char(table.unpack(curr_line))
+    curr_line = nil
+  end
+
+  history_pos = history_pos + dir -- move to new position
+
+  writestring("\x1B[2K\r") -- erase line and return cursor to start
+  writeprompt() -- draw prompt
+  local line = history_lines[history_pos] -- and current line from history
+  writestring(line)
+  curr_pos = #line + 1
+end
+
+local function readesc(c)
+  assert(curr_esc) -- only called if curr_esc isn't nil
+
+  if c == 27 then -- another escape, clear line and buffer and exit escape mode
+    curr_line = nil
+    curr_pos = 1
+    curr_esc = nil
+    eval_pieces = {}
+    history_pos = #history_lines
+    history_lines[history_pos] = ""
+    writestring("\r\n")
+    writeprompt()
+    return
+  else
+    curr_esc[#curr_esc+1] = c
+  end
+
+  if curr_esc[1] ~= 91 then -- not a [, exit escape mode
+    curr_esc = nil
+    return
+  end
+
+  if #curr_esc < 2 then return end -- command character not yet present
+
+  local line_len = #history_lines[history_pos]
+  if curr_line then line_len = #curr_line end
+
+  -- c is now the command character
+  if c == 65 then -- up
+    if history_pos > 1 then
+      movehistory(-1)
+    end
+  elseif c == 66 then -- down
+    if history_pos < #history_lines then
+      movehistory(1)
+    end
+  elseif c == 67 then -- right
+    if curr_pos < line_len + 1 then
+      writestring("\x1B[C")
+      curr_pos = curr_pos + 1
+    end
+  elseif c == 68 then -- left
+    if curr_pos > 1 then
+      writestring("\x1B[D")
+      curr_pos = curr_pos - 1
+    end
+  elseif c == 72 then -- home
+    if curr_pos > 1 then
+      writestring(("\x1B[%dD"):format(curr_pos-1))
+      curr_pos = 1
+    end
+  elseif c == 70 then -- end
+    if curr_pos < line_len + 1 then
+      writestring(("\x1B[%dC"):format(line_len-curr_pos+1))
+      curr_pos = line_len + 1
+    end
+  end
+
+  curr_esc = nil -- exit escape mode, handling complete
+end
+
+local last_c = 0
+state_read = function ()
+  while true do
+    local c = port:read()
+    if c == -1 then return end -- no new character, give time for more to come
+
+    if curr_esc then -- in escape sequence
+      readesc(c)
+    elseif c == 27 then -- escape, start of a control sequence
+      curr_esc = {} -- engage escape sequence handler
+    elseif c == 13 or c == 10 then -- line complete
+      if last_c ~= 13 or c ~= 10 then -- ignore \n after \r
+        writestring("\r\n")
+        last_c = c
+        break
+      end
+    elseif c == 8 or c == 127 then -- backspace
+      if curr_pos > 1 then -- a character to delete?
+        if curr_line == nil then -- retrieve line for editing
+          curr_line = table.pack(history_lines[history_pos]:byte(1, -1))
+        end
+        table.remove(curr_line, curr_pos-1) -- delete the character
+        writechar(8) -- back cursor up
+        curr_pos = curr_pos - 1
+        if curr_pos <= #curr_line then -- draw characters after deletion point
+          writestring(string.char(table.unpack(curr_line, curr_pos)))
+        end
+        -- blank out trailing character and back cursor up to deletion point
+        writestring((" \x1B[%dD"):format(#curr_line-curr_pos+2))
+      end
+    elseif c >= 32 and c <= 126 then -- a character to type
+      if curr_line == nil then -- retrieve line for editing
+        curr_line = table.pack(history_lines[history_pos]:byte(1, -1))
+      end
+      table.insert(curr_line, curr_pos, c) -- store character in the line
+      writechar(c) -- draw the new character
+      curr_pos = curr_pos + 1
+      if curr_pos <= #curr_line then -- and any after
+        writestring(string.char(table.unpack(curr_line, curr_pos)))
+        -- back cursor up to insertion point
+        writestring(("\x1B[%dD"):format(#curr_line-curr_pos+1))
+      end
+    end
+
+    last_c = c
+    if tx_buf then return end -- give time to flush if buffer full
+  end
+
+  -- loop break, line is complete!
+  local line = history_lines[history_pos]
+  if curr_line then
+    line = string.char(table.unpack(curr_line)) -- store line for processing
+    curr_line = nil
+  end
+
+  if #line == 0 then -- line is empty, ignore it
+    writeprompt()
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- if this line is different to the last one added (one before the last entry)
+  if history_lines[#history_lines-1] ~= line then
+    history_lines[#history_lines] = line -- insert it at history end
+    history_lines[#history_lines+1] = "" -- create empty entry for next line
+    if #history_lines > MAX_HISTORY then table.remove(history_lines, 1) end
+  else -- don't create a new entry with a duplicate line
+    history_lines[#history_lines] = "" -- just clear and reuse the last entry
+  end
+  history_pos = #history_lines -- now editing the last entry
+  curr_pos = 1
+
+  eval_pieces[#eval_pieces+1] = line -- evaluate the line
+  state_func = state_eval
+end
+
+local function to_chunk(pieces)
+  local pos = 1
+
+  local function next_piece()
+    -- going past the last piece returns nil which signals the end
+    local piece = pieces[pos]
+    pos = pos + 1
+    return piece
+  end
+
+  return next_piece
+end
+
+local eval_results
+state_eval = function ()
+  local func, err
+  -- try to compile a single line as "return %s;" assuming it could be an
+  -- expression. technique borrowed from the official Lua REPL.
+  if #eval_pieces == 1 then
+    local expr_pieces = {"return ", eval_pieces[1], ";"}
+    func = load(to_chunk(expr_pieces), "=input", "t", _ENV)
+  end
+  if func == nil then -- compilation unsuccessful, load normally
+    func, err = load(to_chunk(eval_pieces), "=input", "t", _ENV)
+  end
+
+  -- if there is an error at the end of the statement, assume we need more to
+  -- complete it. technique borrowed from the official Lua REPL.
+  -- ignore check since load defines that err is not nil if func is nil
+  ---@diagnostic disable-next-line: need-check-nil
+  if func == nil and err:sub(-5, -1) == "<eof>" then
+    -- add a newline and get another line from the user
+    eval_pieces[#eval_pieces+1] = "\n"
+    writeprompt()
+    state_func = state_read
+    return
+  end
+
+  eval_pieces = {} -- destroy to make room for result
+  if func == nil then -- result is the load error message
+    eval_results = { false, err, n = 2 }
+  else
+    eval_results = table.pack(pcall(func))
+  end
+  state_func = state_print
+end
+
+state_print = function ()
+  for i = 2, eval_results.n do -- skip pcall result
+    writeobj(eval_results[i]) -- write each result separated by tabs
+    writestring((i ~= eval_results.n) and "\t" or "\r\n")
+    eval_results[i] = nil -- destroy to make room for stringified version
+  end
+  eval_results = nil
+
+  writeprompt()
+  state_func = state_read -- loop back to read
+end
+
+state_func = state_read
+local function update()
+  if tx_buf then -- write out stuff in tx buffer if present
+    local old_buf = tx_buf
+    tx_buf = nil
+    for _, s in ipairs(old_buf) do -- re-write all data
+      writestring(s)
+    end
+  else -- otherwise we have time to process
+    state_func()
+  end
+
+  ---@diagnostic disable-next-line: undefined-field
+  if PORT_IDX == nil then port:flush() end -- flush MAVLink port if using it
+
+  return update, 10
+end
+
+return update()
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.md b/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e7fc55e0f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/AP_Scripting/applets/repl.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+# Lua REPL
+
+This script implements an interactive REPL (read-evaluate-print-loop) for the
+Lua scripting engine accessible over serial, with line editing, history, and
+output formatting.
+
+The script can also act as a client for QGroundControl's MAVLink Console
+functionality (within the Analyze view), subject to limitations detailed
+below.
+
+### Basic Usage
+* Configure a serial port (e.g. `SERIALn_PROTOCOL`) to protocol 28 (Scripting).
+    * By default the first such port is used; this can be adjusted in the script
+      text.
+    * `SERIAL6` is the alternate USB serial port on Cube Orange, and convenient
+      for bench testing. CAN and network serial ports will also work.
+* Load the `repl.lua` script onto the autopilot.
+* Connect a terminal emulator to the port and enter Lua statements/expressions
+  at the `> ` prompt, then press Enter to execute. Results and errors will be
+  printed back.
+    * A `>> ` prompt indicates that more input is needed to complete the
+      statement.
+    * You can use the arrow keys to edit the current and previous inputs.
+    * Press ESC twice to clear the input and any incomplete statement then
+      return to an empty prompt.
+
+### Autopilot Connection
+* On Linux a convenient command is e.g. `minicom -w -D /dev/ttyACM1 -b 115200`,
+  assuming you have the minicom terminal emulator installed.
+* Any terminal emulator on any platform should work; see notes below about
+  control codes and other configuration.
+
+### SITL Connection
+* Start SITL with a command like `Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py -A --serialN=tcp:9995:wait` to allow connection to the selected serial port.
+* Connect a terminal emulator to localhost TCP port 9995
+    * On Linux a convenient command is `stty -icanon -echo -icrnl && netcat localhost 9995`.
+    * Note that you must execute `reset` to turn echo back on once disconnected.
+    * Scripting must be restarted after a TCP reconnection.
+
+### MAVLink Connection
+* Requires at least Ardupilot 4.6.
+* Set the port in the script text to `nil` to enable.
+* In addition to `repl.lua`, copy the `mavport.lua` file and `MAVLink` directory
+  from `AP_Scripting/modules` to `APM/SCRIPTS/MODULES` on your autopilot.
+* The ESC key is not supported; cause a syntax error to reset the prompt.
+* The experience over a radio link might be sub-par due to lack of any sort of
+  packet loss tracking or retransmission.
+
+### Notes and Limitations
+* Statements like `local x = 3` create a variable which immediately goes out of
+  scope once evaluated. Names must be global to survive to the next prompt.
+* There is currently no facility for installing periodic update callbacks.
+* While theoretically impossible to accidentally crash the autopilot software,
+  certain scripting APIs can cause damage to you or your vehicle if used
+  improperly. Use extreme caution with an armed vehicle!
+* The script expects Enter to be `\r`, `\r\n`, or `\n`. It prints `\r\n` for a
+  new line, and uses ANSI cursor control codes for line editing and history.
+  Check your terminal configuration if Enter doesn't work or you see garbage
+  characters. Lines longer than the terminal width likely won't edit properly.
+* Evaluating complex statements or printing complex results can cause an
+  `exceeded time limit` error, stopping the script and losing variables and
+  history. Increasing the vehicle's `SCR_VM_I_COUNT` parameter reduces the
+  chance of this occurring.