write-good review
A focused CLI and JavaScript linter for automated English-prose suggestions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
write-good is an open-source JavaScript and command-line linter for English prose, aimed at developers who want automated writing checks in development workflows. It can operate as a Node.js module or local CLI, with checks covering passive voice, repeated words, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, sentence openings, lexical illusions, and E-Prime usage. Its MIT License and self-hosted model suit teams that prefer a lightweight tool they can run within their own development environment.
The product’s strongest feature is the breadth of its focused prose checks without moving beyond a developer-oriented linting model. The JavaScript API returns suggestions with positions and explanations, while the CLI supports files and globs. Checks can be configured, terms can be added to a whitelist, and custom language-check extensions can expand the rule set. Optional E-Prime checking gives the tool an additional editing mode for teams that follow that style. Docker-based execution also provides another way to run it in a local workflow.
write-good is a practical choice when prose review needs to sit close to code, scripts, or documentation workflows. Its open-source distribution, CLI, API access, and self-hosted operation make it a fit for developers who want direct control over execution and configuration. The trade-off is its narrow focus: the published positioning centers on prose suggestions, while broader integrations and governance features are outside its scope. Teams seeking a lightweight linter should consider write-good; organizations needing a wider writing-quality program may prefer a product with a broader ecosystem and administrative feature set.
write-good pros and cons
- Where it wins
- JavaScript API returns suggestions with positions and explanations
- Checks passive voice, wordiness, clichés, weasel words, and adverbs
- Configurable checks, whitelist support, custom extensions, and Docker execution
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on suggestions rather than enforced rule actions
- No integrations beyond its CLI and JavaScript API
- Lacks broader governance features for larger writing programs
write-good fact sheet, pricing and score →
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