Monaco Editor
What Monaco Editor is
Monaco Editor is a source-code editor library developers can embed in web applications. It is generated from VS Code sources and adapted to run in a browser. The project is free under the MIT License, and its package installs with `npm install monaco-editor`; it includes an ESM build and `monaco.d.ts` API definitions. The API supports code and diff editors, code actions, folding, formatting, hover, inlay hints, suggestions, and rename. Language-service providers supply smart editor features such as completion and hover information. Integration guidance covers webpack, Parcel, and Vite. VS Code extensions do not generally work in Monaco Editor in a browser, though extensions based entirely on LSP with a JavaScript language server may be possible. Monaco Editor is not supported in mobile browsers or mobile web-app frameworks. Accessibility guidance describes keyboard command navigation, a high-contrast theme, and screen-reader support. Models can hold text, language, and edit history without representing a file on an actual filesystem. The AMD build remains for backwards compatibility, but its support is deprecated and planned for removal.
Who it suits
Monaco Editor suits developers building or customizing browser-based code editors in web applications. Integration samples and an interactive playground are available for developers learning to use it.
What it does well
- Free library under the MIT License.
- API supports code and diff editors.
- Language server support is available.
- Accessibility guidance includes keyboard and screen-reader support.
- Integration guidance covers webpack, Parcel, and Vite.
What to know first
- Not supported in mobile browsers or mobile web-app frameworks.
- VS Code extensions do not generally work in browser use.
- AMD support is deprecated and planned for removal.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monaco Editor | MIT-licensed editor library · npm package | Free |
As microsoft.github.io lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Monaco Editor provides a feature-rich browser editor library with documented integrations and APIs. Developers should account for its mobile limitation, extension compatibility, and deprecated AMD build.
Facts from Monaco Editor's own pages
- Accessibility
- The accessibility guide describes keyboard command navigation, a high contrast theme, and screen reader support. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- AMD build
- The AMD build is provided for backwards compatibility, but its support is deprecated and is planned for removal in future versions. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project provides integration samples and an interactive playground for developers learning to use and customize the editor. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Built-in debugger
- No · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Editor capabilities
- The API documentation lists features including code actions, diff editing, folding, formatting, hover, inlay hints, suggestions, and rename. · microsoft.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Editor features
- The API includes standalone code and diff editor creation functions. · microsoft.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Editor type
- desktop · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Extension support
- No · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Install
- The project’s README gives `npm install monaco-editor` as the installation command. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Install and API
- The README gives `npm install monaco-editor` as the installation command and says the package includes an ESM build and `monaco.d.ts` API definitions. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project documents an ESM build compatible with tools such as webpack and provides a webpack plugin for selecting included languages and features. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Language server support
- Yes · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Language services
- Providers supply smart editor features such as completion and hover information, and often map to Language Server Protocol features. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Legacy build
- The README says the AMD build is kept for backwards compatibility, but AMD support is deprecated and will be removed in future versions. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project README says Monaco Editor is licensed under the MIT License. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Mobile limitation
- The README says Monaco Editor is not supported in mobile browsers or mobile web app frameworks. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Mobile support
- The README says Monaco Editor is not supported in mobile browsers or mobile web app frameworks. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Models
- A model holds text content, its language, and edit history, and can represent a file that does not exist on a file system. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Product
- Monaco Editor is the fully featured code editor from VS Code, provided as a library for use in a web browser. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The project’s license page identifies the license as MIT and says the software is provided without warranty. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to create repository issues for Monaco Editor issues and to Stack Overflow for questions. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support and contributions
- The README directs users to repository issues and Stack Overflow, and says community contributions are welcome. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Monaco Editor stands on Freedom251
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