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bayesplot

ANALYTICS
Velocity0.0

Plotting functions for posterior analysis and MCMC diagnostics of Bayesian models

github.com/stan-dev/bayesplot ↗

bayesplot keeps widening its posterior-check catalogue while absorbing each ggplot2 break.

bayesian workflowstanposterior predictive checksggplot2 compatibilityvisual diagnostics
◆Current state
bayesplot supplies the plotting layer for Stan-adjacent Bayesian workflows: posterior predictive checks, MCMC diagnostics and LOO diagnostics. Releases through 2025 alternate between new plot families and keeping pace with ggplot2, which changed behavior twice in the visible window. Contributions increasingly arrive from outside the core Stan team.
◆Where it's heading
Two forces drive the release line: expanding what can be checked visually, and absorbing upstream ggplot2 churn. The 1.13-1.14 pair shows the first, adding LOO-PIT ECDF plots, quantile dot plots and discrete-data handling across the stat family, while 1.12 and 1.15 are largely spent on ggplot2 3.6 and 4.0 compatibility. The recurring new-contributor lists suggest maintenance load is being spread rather than concentrated.
◆Prediction
Discrete-data support has rolled out plot family by plot family across three releases; the next release most likely continues that sweep and finishes the ggplot2 v4 adaptation.

◆Recent moves

  1. 8mo ago

    mcmc_scatter gains shape; pre-ggplot2 v4 theme behavior restored

    A shape argument for mcmc_scatter and a restoration of the theme behavior that ggplot2 v4.0 changed. Mostly defensive work: keeping existing plots looking the same after an upstream break.

    View source ↗
  2. 11mo ago

    Quantile dot plots and broader discrete-data support

    Quantile dot plots (ppc_dots(), ppd_dots()), user-supplied averaging functions across the ppc_*_avg family, and discrete handling in rootograms and stat plots. The clearest expansion of the check catalogue in the visible window.

    View source ↗
  3. 1y ago

    ppc_loo_pit_ecdf() added; KM overlays gain truncation control

    Adds ppc_loo_pit_ecdf() and gives users control over left-truncation and extrapolation in the Kaplan-Meier overlays. Continues the pattern of one new diagnostic per release alongside contributed refinements.

    View source ↗
  4. 1y ago

    ggplot2 3.6 compatibility and a run of plot-data fixes

    Compatibility work for ggplot2 3.6.0 plus legend, binning and count fixes, and removal of deprecated functions from available_ppc(). Housekeeping that keeps the catalogue usable rather than growing it.

    View source ↗
  5. 2y ago

    Patch caps ppc_pit_ecdf evaluation points at 1000

    A single-issue patch capping ppc_pit_ecdf evaluation points at 1000 by default. A performance guard-rail, with no change to the plots themselves.

    View source ↗
  6. 2y ago

    bins/breaks across histograms; all LOO plots accept psis_object

    Broad argument-surface work: bins and breaks across histogram and hex plots, psis_object accepted by every LOO plot, and discrete-variable support in the LOO-PIT ECDF functions. Sets up the discrete-data sweep that later releases continue.

    View source ↗