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write-good
What it is
write-good is a free, MIT-licensed open-source linter for English prose, available through a command-line interface and JavaScript API. Its JavaScript function accepts a string and returns an array of suggestions. Built-in checks cover passive voice, repeated words, sentence-opening phrases, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, and to-be verbs. You can disable checks, whitelist phrases, and add custom checks. The command-line tool lints text supplied directly, files matched by glob patterns, or text fetched from a remote file. The README lists integrations for Atom, Drafts, Obsidian, Visual Studio Code, Vim, Chrome, and Statick. It documents running the tool with a Docker Hub image or a locally built image. The project also identifies schreib-gut as a basic German-language extension. Package metadata requires Node.js version 6 or later and npm version 5 or later. The README presents write-good for developers who want to improve their writing and invites pull requests for additional extensions. Its rule action is suggestion rather than automatic rewriting. The repository identifies the package as MIT licensed, and the listed plan is free.
For and against
For
- Free MIT-licensed open source
- CLI and JavaScript API
- Custom checks and phrase whitelists
- Supports glob and remote-file linting
- Many editor integrations
Against
- Requires Node.js 6 or later
- Requires npm 5 or later
- Suggestions are not automatic rewrites
- German support is listed as basic
The verdict
write-good provides configurable prose checks through a CLI and JavaScript API, with integrations for several editors. Its suggestion-based approach leaves revisions to the writer.
Who it suits
write-good suits developers who want programmable or command-line suggestions for English prose. It also fits editors using the listed integrations.
Plans and prices
write-good
MIT-licensed open-source package · install with npm
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Activity
- The repository commit history shows a latest listed commit dated March 10, 2025.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The README describes the tool as being for developers who want to improve their writing.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Checks
- Built-in checks cover passive voice, repeated words, sentence-opening phrases, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, and to-be verbs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The command-line tool can lint glob patterns, text supplied directly, or text fetched from a remote file.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can disable checks, whitelist phrases, and supply custom checks.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Docker
- The README documents running write-good using a Docker Hub image or a locally built image.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project README lists integrations for Atom, Drafts, Obsidian, Visual Studio Code, Vim, Chrome, and Statick.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Language extensions
- The README lists schreib-gut as a basic German-language extension.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- write-good describes itself as a naive linter for English prose.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The package metadata specifies Node.js version 6 or later and npm version 5 or later.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The opened repository page shows a Security and quality section but states no security or compliance features in the README.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Suggestions
- Its JavaScript function accepts a string and returns an array of writing suggestions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README asks users to open a pull request to add unlisted write-good extensions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
