In 2024.2 the ability to save an MP script as an XML file has been added. The purpose of the MP XML format is for comparison between the saved versions and for data archival purposes.
It is not recommended to modify the text directly. Here are a few reasons:
The XML boost library is used for the XML serialization. It means that object id values are automatically generated. If you modify it manually you can break the XML serialization.
Each StepType has an internal hardcoded SA value that is unknown to you. For example, <StepType>2932</StepType> means “Create Counter”.
If you add or remove MP steps, it is easy to break step references in the text file.
Although it is not recommended you can safely modify the string fields that don’t affect the functionality of the MP script. The “Npp Xml Treeview” plugin for Notepad ++ helps a lot when looking at an XML script if you don’t have an editor yet.