Prettier

Prettier is an opinionated code formatter that enforces consistent style across projects by automatically reformatting code on save. It supports JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, JSON, Markdown, GraphQL, and many other languages. The key design decision is that Prettier offers minimal configuration options, deliberately removing most style choices from the developer's control.

This opinionated approach is the point, not a limitation. By removing decisions about where to break lines, whether to use single or double quotes, how to indent nested structures, and dozens of other stylistic choices, Prettier eliminates entire categories of code review comments and team debates. Everyone's code looks the same after formatting, regardless of their personal preferences or IDE settings.

For web development teams, Prettier is typically integrated into the development workflow at multiple points: editor plugins format on save for instant feedback, pre-commit hooks ensure no unformatted code enters the repository, and CI pipelines verify formatting as part of the build process. Combined with ESLint for code quality rules, Prettier creates a consistent baseline that lets code reviews focus on logic, architecture, and correctness rather than style disagreements.