proselint
proselint is a free, open-source linter for English prose.
What proselint is
proselint is a free, open-source linter for English prose. It scans files for writing issues and prints suggestions for improving the text, drawing on advice associated with authors, editors, usage guides, and literary publications. Its command-line tool can output diagnostics as text or JSON. Users can enable or disable checks at different levels and apply separate check selections to files that match specified patterns. Python programs can also use the LintFile class from proselint.tools to lint text and return suggestions. The project supports Linux and self-hosted use. Documented installation options include pip, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Nix, pre-commit, and prek. Listed integrations include Vim through ALE, Emacs through Flycheck, Neovim through none-ls.nvim, and CI/CD through MegaLinter. The README marks several older plugins, including Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text, as archived or unmaintained. The Free plan is free and uses the BSD-3-Clause license. By default, proselint can output a maximum of 1000 results.
Good
- Diagnostics can be printed as text or JSON.
- Users can customize checks by file patterns.
- Python programs can call the LintFile class.
- Listed integrations include Vim, Emacs, and Neovim.
- Free and open source under BSD-3-Clause.
Watch out
- Several older plugins are archived or unmaintained.
- Default output is capped at 1000 results.
Who it suits
proselint suits writers and developers who want command-line prose suggestions or linting within Python programs. Its configurable checks and listed editor and CI/CD integrations support varied workflows.
Verdict
proselint offers configurable prose checks through a command-line tool and Python library, with several listed editor and CI/CD integrations. Users should note the result cap and the status of older plugins.
Plans and prices
From proselint's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Open-source command-line prose linter · BSD-3-Clause license |
The facts
Each one read from proselint's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Advice sources
- Its checks draw on writing advice associated with authors, editors, usage guides, and literary publications.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The command-line tool checks files and can output diagnostics as text or JSON.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration limit
- The default maximum number of results proselint can output is 1000.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Customizable checks
- Users can enable or disable checks at different levels and apply separate check selections to matching files.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The README documents installation with pip, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Nix, pre-commit, and prek.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project lists Vim through ALE, Emacs through Flycheck, CI/CD through MegaLinter, and Neovim through none-ls.nvim as available integrations.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Library use
- Python programs can use the LintFile class from proselint.tools to lint text and return suggestions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under the BSD-3-Clause license.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Older plugins
- The README says its IntelliJ, Flymake, Sublime Text, Phabricator Arc, Visual Studio Code, Coala, Danger, and Syntastic plugins are archived or unmaintained.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- proselint is a linter for English prose that scans files and detects issues, then prints suggestions for improving the text.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security information
- The repository’s GitHub security page shows no published security advisories.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users who encounter a problem to open an issue.checked 4 Oct 2026
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