textlint
textlint: A flexible, open-source text linter for teams that want customizable workflows. Ranked #24 of 29 in Writing Style Checkers by our editors (6.6/10); pricing: Open source; best for developers building extensible linting workflows.
At a glance
- Editor score6.6 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forDevelopers building extensible linting workflows
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Custom rules, presets, filters, and processors support tailored linting.
- Automatic fixes include a dry-run mode for safer file changes.
- Editor integrations, GitHub Actions, APIs, and MCP broaden its reach.
Where it doesn't
- Rules are installed separately and require textlintrc configuration.
- Markdown and plain text are supported by default; other formats need plugins.
- Built-in brand, terminology, and team-governance features are limited.
Our verdict on textlint
textlint is an open-source JavaScript utility for checking natural-language text. It runs locally through a command-line interface and supports Markdown and plain text by default. Developers can add rules, presets, filters, and processors through its plugin-based architecture, making it suited to teams building customized linting workflows rather than users seeking a fixed, ready-made checker. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and API-based use, with a standalone desktop app also available.
Customization is the main reason to choose textlint. Users install rules separately, configure them in a textlintrc file, and can lint files or apply automatic fixes with dry-run mode. Built-in and custom output formatters, file caching, and CLI configuration support repeatable workflows. Node.js and kernel APIs extend the tool beyond the command line, while plugins add support for HTML and other formats. That flexibility also creates setup responsibility: teams need to select and configure the rule ecosystem that matches their writing standards.
Its ecosystem covers Visual Studio Code, Atom, Sublime Text, Vim, micro, NetBeans, Emacs, GitHub Actions, Chrome extensions, and MCP. The GitHub Actions integration fits continuous checks, while the MCP server supports AI-assistant workflows. These integrations make textlint a practical choice for developers who want linting embedded in editors, automation, or custom applications. It is less suited to buyers looking for built-in brand, terminology, and team-governance features without assembling plugins and configuration. Choose textlint for extensibility and API access; consider an alternative if a narrower, more managed writing checker is the priority.
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textlint pricing
textlint fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Custom style guide | Not verified |
| Terminology management | Not verified |
| Brand voice rules | Not verified |
| Editor support | Atom, Sublime Text, Vim, Visual Studio Code, micro, NetBeans, Emacs |
| Rule action | Not verified |
| Team workflow | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 10 integrations: Visual Studio Code, Atom, Sublime Text, Vim, micro, NetBeans … See all → |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | textlint.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
textlint integrations
textlint lists 10 integrations on its own site.
- Visual Studio Code
- Atom
- Sublime Text
- Vim
- micro
- NetBeans
- Emacs
- GitHub Actions
- Chrome extensions
- MCP
See all textlint integrations →
Alternatives to textlint
- AcrolinxDeep enterprise style governance with broad editor support and sales-led pricing.9.4
- ValeA programmable prose linter with YAML rules, editor diagnostics, and CI workflows.9.2
- Congree Authoring ServerEnterprise authoring checks with terminology control, reusable approved text, and broad editor integrations.8.9
See all textlint alternatives →
Used textlint? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used textlint for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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