Tools · SPBoucher
Menu

Biome

by Biome project · CLI tool · also known as Rome Tools (predecessor)

Rust-based formatter and linter for JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, JSON, CSS and GraphQL that replaces Prettier and ESLint with one binary

MIT OR Apache-2.0 licenseOpen sourceFreeLocalCloudSelf-hostable
Visit official site Compare

Link verified Nov 2, 2026

Overview

Biome is a toolchain for web projects that bundles a code formatter and a linter in a single Rust binary. It began in 2023 as a community fork of Rome Tools after that company ceased operations, and it is distributed under MIT and Apache-2.0 licenses. The formatter aims for high compatibility with Prettier's output for JavaScript and TypeScript, and the linter implements a large set of rules inspired by ESLint and its popular plugins, with automatic fixes and explanatory diagnostics.

Because one process handles both concerns, configuration is a single biome.json file and runs are fast enough to execute on every save or across a monorepo in CI. Editor integration is available through official extensions and the LSP. Biome's constraints are coverage: it supports fewer languages and framework-specific rules than the ESLint ecosystem, type-aware linting is more limited, and projects relying on custom ESLint plugins cannot port them directly. Migration commands help translate existing Prettier and ESLint configurations.

Capabilities

  • Formatter compatible with most Prettier output
  • Linter with automatic fixes and rich diagnostics
  • Single configuration file for formatting and linting
  • Support for JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, JSON, CSS and GraphQL
  • Migration commands from ESLint and Prettier
  • LSP and editor extensions

Typical workflows

  1. Replace Prettier and ESLint with one tool in a new project
  2. Run formatting and lint checks in CI with a single command
  3. Format on save in VS Code or Zed

Strengths

  • Fast single binary with no Node dependency at runtime
  • Simplified configuration
  • Dual MIT/Apache-2.0 license

Limitations

  • Fewer rules and plugins than ESLint
  • Limited type-aware linting
  • No support for custom ESLint plugins

Prerequisites

  • npm, pnpm, Bun or a standalone binary

Who it is for

  • Web developers seeking faster tooling
  • Teams simplifying their lint and format setup

Alternatives & comparison

ESLint remains the most extensible JavaScript linter with the broadest plugin ecosystem; Biome trades extensibility for speed and simplicity. Prettier is the formatting reference Biome deliberately mirrors, so switching mostly changes tooling rather than code style.

  • ESLint

    Pluggable static analysis tool for JavaScript and TypeScript that finds problems in code through configurable rules and can fix many automatically

    Open sourceOpen source
  • Prettier

    Opinionated code formatter for JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, Markdown, YAML and more that reprints code from its syntax tree with few options

    Open sourceOpen source
Compare Biome with its alternatives →

Sources & verification

Primary sources consulted for this record. Claims are tied to the fields each source supports; the automated link checker re-verifies every URL on a schedule.

Confidence
High
Reviewed
Nov 1, 2026
Links
Verified · Nov 2, 2026

Spotted an error?

Broken link, outdated license, wrong category, or a tool that no longer exists? Tell us; reports are reviewed by the editor.

Playwright

Microsoft · Testing & QA

In-depth entry

Microsoft's browser automation and end-to-end testing framework driving Chromium, Firefox and WebKit from one API in TypeScript, Python, Java and .NET

Apache-2.0Open sourceFreeLocalSelf-hostedNov 2, 2026

Puppeteer

Google (Chrome DevTools team) · Data collection & crawling

In-depth entry

Node.js library from the Chrome team for controlling Chrome and Firefox over the DevTools Protocol or WebDriver BiDi, used for scraping, screenshots, PDFs and testing

Apache-2.0Open sourceFreeLocalSelf-hostedNov 2, 2026

Cypress

Cypress.io · Testing & QA

End-to-end and component testing framework that runs tests inside the browser with an interactive runner, paired with the commercial Cypress Cloud

MITOpen sourceFreeLocalNov 2, 2026

Vitest

VoidZero / Vitest team · Testing & QA

Vite-native unit test framework for JavaScript and TypeScript with a Jest-compatible API, watch mode, coverage and browser mode

MITOpen sourceFreeLocalNov 2, 2026

Semgrep

Semgrep, Inc. · Security tools

Static analysis engine that matches code patterns written in the target language's own syntax, with an LGPL community edition and a commercial AppSec platform

LGPL-2.1-onlyOpen sourceFreemiumLocalNov 2, 2026

Jest

OpenJS Foundation · Testing & QA

JavaScript testing framework created at Meta with built-in assertions, mocking, snapshot testing and parallel test execution

MITOpen sourceFreeLocalNov 2, 2026