cpplint
cpplint is a free command-line tool for developers checking C and C++ source files for style issues against Google’s C++ style guide.
What cpplint is
cpplint is a free command-line tool for developers checking C and C++ source files for style issues against Google’s C++ style guide. The project recommends installing its package from PyPI as a uv tool, and the package requires Python 3.9 or later. It can find files recursively, exclude selected files, and use customized file extensions. The project lists support for modern C++ features and `#pragma once` as an alternative to header include guards. Developers can skip checks across a code block using `// NOLINTBEGIN` and `// NOLINTEND`. cpplint can run as a pre-commit hook and is included in MegaLinter for CI workflows. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is distributed under the BSD-3-Clause license. The project says Google no longer maintains its public version; this fork aims to update it for modern specifications and wider use. The repository offers issue, pull request, discussion, and contribution channels.
Good
- Free and open source under BSD-3-Clause.
- Supports recursive file discovery and file exclusions.
- Can run as a pre-commit hook.
- Included in MegaLinter for CI workflows.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Watch out
- Requires Python 3.9 or later.
- Google no longer maintains its public version.
- No IDE support is listed.
Who it suits
cpplint is for developers who want to check C and C++ files for style issues. It can also suit projects that run checks through pre-commit or CI workflows.
Verdict
cpplint provides configurable command-line style checks, with options for modern C++ code and CI workflows. Developers should note the Python requirement and the project’s stated maintenance status.
Plans and prices
From cpplint's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| cpplint | Free | No paid plans or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from cpplint's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Artifact provenance
- PyPI reports that the 2.0.2 release artifacts were signed by GitHub Actions and verified by PyPI on April 8, 2025.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- Cpplint is intended for developers checking C and C++ source files for style issues.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution format
- PyPI provides a Python 3 wheel tagged for any platform and a source distribution.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File selection
- Cpplint supports recursive file discovery, excluding files, and customizing file extensions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project recommends installing the cpplint package from PyPI and documents installation as a uv tool.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Cpplint can run as a pre-commit hook and is included in MegaLinter, an open-source linter aggregator for CI.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The package is distributed under the BSD-3-Clause license.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Modern C++
- The project lists support for more modern C++ features and for #pragma once as an alternative to header include guards.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The project says Google no longer maintains the public version and this fork aims to update it for modern specifications and wider use.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cpplint is a command-line tool that checks C/C++ files for style issues according to Google’s C++ style guide.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Python requirement
- The PyPI package requires Python 3.9 or later.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository identifies maintainers and provides GitHub issues, pull requests, discussions, and contribution guidance.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Suppressions
- The project supports skipping entire code blocks with // NOLINTBEGIN and // NOLINTEND.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to cpplint
- 1
Cppcheck
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.4Free plan - 2
JSHint
Free planOpen sourceWebAPIExtensionLinux7.4Free plan - 3
Flake8
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.3Free plan - 4
PMD
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.8Free plan - 5
SwiftLint
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan - 6
Ruff
Free planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted6.5Free plan