Summary

OxLint is a new JavaScript linting tool that offers a significant speed improvement over ESLint, with a focus on simplicity and code correctness.

Abstract

OxLint, a recently launched JavaScript linting tool, is making waves in the developer community with its promise of being 50 times faster than the widely-used ESLint. Developed in Rust, OxLint simplifies the linting process by requiring minimal configuration, while still effectively catching errors and unnecessary code. It is designed to be a performance-enhancing complement to ESLint, particularly beneficial for large projects or CI/CD pipelines where linting speed can be a bottleneck. OxLint's speed advantage has been acknowledged by notable figures in the tech community, including Evan You, creator of Vue.js, and Jason Miller, author of Preact. The tool's design philosophy emphasizes rapid feedback, ease of use, and a focus on code correctness over strict adherence to stylistic rules.

Opinions

Evan You, creator of Vue.js, has expressed his amazement at OxLint's speed.
Jason Miller, author of Preact, considers OxLint's speed a massive victory.
Shopify reported a dramatic reduction in ESLint runtime from 75 minutes to 10 seconds with OxLint.
OxLint's developers prioritize identifying errors and redundancies in the code, similar to clippy's categorization rules.
The zero-configuration approach of OxLint is seen as a solution to the complexity and time wasted in configuring JavaScript/TypeScript codebases.
OxLint's error messages are designed to be easily comprehensible, which is appreciated as a user-friendly feature.
Although OxLint currently lacks a plugin system, it integrates rules from popular ESLint plugins and is considering a DSL-based plugin system in the future.

OxLint — the new JavaScript Lint tool which is 50x faster than ESLint

Exciting news for developers! OxLint has officially launched, presenting itself as a JavaScript code-checking tool that rivals ESLint but boasts a speed nearly 50 times faster. Developed in Rust, OxLint eliminates the need for intricate configurations while efficiently catching errors and redundant code, making it a powerful addition to the developer’s toolkit.

Even Evan You, the creator of Vue.js, couldn’t help but express amazement at its blazing speed:

Let’s take a quick visual glimpse:

For a more in-depth performance comparison, head over to bench-javascript-linter.

How to Use OxLint

OxLint doesn’t aim to replace ESLint entirely. Instead, consider it as a performance-enhancing tool when ESLint’s speed becomes a bottleneck in your workflow. For example, projects running ESLint in lint-staged or CI setups may experience a significant speed boost, making linting tasks that used to take minutes now complete in seconds.

To test OxLint in your JavaScript/TypeScript codebase, run the following command in your repository’s root directory:

npx oxlint@latest # npm
pnpm dlx oxlint@latest # pnpm
yarn dlx oxlint@latest # yarn
bunx oxlint@latest # bun
deno run oxlint@latest # deno

For additional error details, the command line will provide comprehensive warnings. Additionally, there’s a VSCode plugin available; simply search for “oxc” in the plugin marketplace.

For more detailed information, refer to the Installation Guide.

OxLint’s Design Philosophy

1. Unmatched Speed

In real-world scenarios, Shopify reported that OxLint reduced their ESLint runtime from 75 minutes to a mere 10 seconds. Jason Miller, author of Preact, was astounded by OxLint’s speed, describing it as a massive victory. OxLint achieves its remarkable speed through key factors like Rust integration and parallel processing.

2. Focus on Code Correctness

OxLint prioritizes identifying errors, redundancies, or confusing code, emphasizing correctness over nitpicky rules. Categories like perf, suspicious, pedantic, or style are inspired by clippy's categorization rules. While this may seem unfamiliar at first, users find it incredibly convenient and user-friendly once accustomed.

3. Convenience in Use

Configuring new JavaScript/TypeScript codebases has become increasingly complex. OxLint addresses compatibility issues and potential hours of wasted time due to its zero-configuration approach. No configuration files or even Node.js are mandatory!

4. Enhanced Diagnostics

Understanding lint tool information can be challenging. OxLint simplifies this process by locating root causes and providing useful information. Error messages are designed to be easily comprehensible, aiding developers in quickly resolving issues.

5. Unified Rules

While OxLint doesn’t currently support a plugin system, it actively integrates rules from popular plugins like TypeScript, React, Jest, Unicorn, JSX-a11y, and Import. The team acknowledges the importance of plugins in the JavaScript ecosystem and is exploring a DSL-based plugin system.

OxLint’s release introduces a groundbreaking tool that not only surpasses ESLint in speed but also redefines the developer’s experience. Its focus on correctness, unmatched speed, and user-friendly design make it a compelling choice for JavaScript code checking. Whether you’re facing performance bottlenecks with ESLint or seeking a convenient, high-speed linting solution, OxLint is poised to make a significant impact.

Feel free to explore the OxLint project for more exciting features and enhancements. Happy coding!