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Prettier
What it is
Prettier is a free, open-source code formatter that parses code and prints it in a consistent style, taking line length into account. Its built-in languages include JavaScript, JSX, Angular, Vue, Flow, TypeScript, CSS, Less, SCSS, HTML, JSON, GraphQL, Markdown, YAML, LWC, and MJML. Use the command-line interface with `--write` to format files or `--check` to check formatting in continuous integration. Listed editor integrations include VS Code, Emacs, Vim, Helix, Sublime Text, JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio, and Espresso; formatting can run from a shortcut or on file save. Prettier provides configuration options but keeps them few. Plugins can add languages or formatting rules, and additional languages beyond its built-in web-focused set need a plugin. For ESLint, the install guide recommends `eslint-config-prettier` to disable rules that are unnecessary or may conflict with formatting. The tool supports browser and JavaScript API use as well as Linux, macOS, and Windows. The install guide recommends using an exact local version in each project because even patch releases can format code differently. Commercial support and maintenance are available through the Tidelift Subscription.
For and against
For
- Free and open source.
- Formats from the CLI or checks in CI.
- Integrations span many editors.
- Plugins can add languages or formatting rules.
Against
- Configuration options are intentionally few.
- Additional languages require installing a plugin.
- Patch releases can format code differently.
The verdict
Prettier offers a consistent formatting workflow across command-line, editor, browser, and JavaScript API use. Projects should pin an exact local version and use plugins for languages outside its built-in support.
Who it suits
Prettier suits developers and teams seeking consistent code formatting across supported languages and editors. It is also relevant for projects that want command-line formatting or CI checks, provided they account for its limited configuration and version guidance.
Plans and prices
Open-source Prettier
local CLI · editor integrations · browser standalone · JavaScript API
Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Prettier
Open-source code formatter; enterprise support and maintenance offered through Tidelift Subscription
Read 30 Sep 2026 · prettier.io
On the record
- Browser build
- A standalone browser build runs without Node.js, but it does not support config files, ignore files, CLI behavior or automatic plugin loading.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser plugin requirement
- In the browser build, parser plugins must be loaded and passed explicitly to prettier.format.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The install guide documents running `prettier --write` to rewrite files and `prettier --check` in CI to detect unformatted files.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Community plugins
- The plugin directory lists community integrations for languages and formats such as Java, Kotlin, Rust, SQL, Solidity, Svelte, TOML and YAML.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Configuration can use JSON, YAML, TOML, JavaScript or TypeScript files, with overrides for selected files and directories.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The documentation covers installation, CLI usage, options, configuration, editor setup, CI, plugins, browser use, APIs and technical internals.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Editor behavior
- Prettier can be run from an editor shortcut or automatically when saving a file.prettier.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Editor integrations
- The official site lists integrations or support for VS Code, WebStorm, Visual Studio, Vim, Emacs, Sublime Text, Nova and Espresso.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Enterprise support
- Commercial support and maintenance for Prettier are available as part of the Tidelift Subscription.prettier.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Formatting workflow
- Prettier can format files with its CLI using --write or check formatting with --check in CI.prettier.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Git hooks
- The documentation describes using Husky and lint-staged to run Prettier before each commit.prettier.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- IDE integration
- JetBrains documentation says IntelliJ IDEA can add Prettier actions when the dependency is installed and notes that TypeScript config files need Node.js 22.6 or later.jetbrains.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Languages
- Built-in language support includes JavaScript, JSX, Angular, Vue, Flow, TypeScript, CSS, Less, SCSS, HTML, JSON, GraphQL, Markdown, YAML, LWC, and MJML.prettier.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Latest notable release
- Prettier 3.9 was announced on June 27, 2026 with parser upgrades for Markdown, YAML, Flow, GraphQL and Angular plus JavaScript and TypeScript formatting changes.prettier.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The repository grants permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, sublicense and sell the software under the MIT licence.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: HTML whitespace concerns
- A Reddit participant argues that applying line-length formatting to HTML can alter meaningful whitespace and harm intended rendering.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: opinionated style
- Product Hunt and Reddit discussions identify the fixed, opinionated formatting decisions as a recurring drawback for teams wanting different conventions.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: plugin complexity
- A Reddit discussion complains that needing multiple plugins can make setup messy and unattractive.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
