Freedom251 › Writing Style Checkers
write-good
What write-good is
write-good is a free, MIT-licensed linter for English prose, with a command-line tool and a JavaScript API. Its JavaScript function accepts text and returns an array of suggestions. Built-in checks cover passive voice, repeated words, sentence-opening phrases, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, and to-be verbs. Users can disable individual checks, whitelist phrases, and provide custom checks.
The CLI can lint text entered directly, files matched by glob patterns, or text fetched from a remote file. The project also documents running write-good with a Docker Hub image or a locally built image. Its README lists integrations for Atom, Drafts, Obsidian, Visual Studio Code, Vim, Chrome, and Statick, along with schreib-gut as a basic German-language extension. The project describes its intended audience as developers who want to improve their writing and invites users to contribute additional extensions by opening a pull request.
The package is available through npm and requires Node.js version 6 or later and npm version 5 or later. Its rule action is to suggest changes. The listed plan costs nothing, and the project is open source. Supported platforms are listed as Linux.
Who it suits
write-good suits developers who want suggestions on English prose through a command-line tool or JavaScript API. It may also fit users of the listed editor integrations who want to customize which checks run and which phrases are whitelisted.
What it does well
- Checks eight listed writing patterns, including passive voice and wordiness.
- Users can disable checks, whitelist phrases, and add custom checks.
- CLI accepts direct text, glob patterns, and remote files.
- Integrations are listed for Atom, Drafts, Obsidian, Visual Studio Code, Vim, Chrome, and Statick.
- MIT-licensed open-source package listed as free.
What to know first
- The listed platform is Linux.
- The package requires Node.js 6 or later and npm 5 or later.
- The German extension is described as basic.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| write-good | MIT-licensed open-source package · install with npm | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://github.com/btford/write-good.
- Install the package with npm; the package requires Node.js 6 or later and npm 5 or later.
- Use the command-line tool with direct text, glob patterns, or a remote file, or call its JavaScript function with a string.
- Alternatively, run it with a Docker Hub image or a locally built image.
Verdict
Choose write-good if you want an open-source linter that returns suggestions through a CLI or JavaScript API and lets you tailor its checks. Its stated scope is English prose, with schreib-gut listed as a basic German-language extension.
Questions
How much does write-good cost?
The listed write-good plan is free. The package is open source and MIT licensed.
Is there a free trial?
No free trial is listed; the plan is free.
Which platforms and interfaces are listed?
Linux is the listed platform. The project provides a CLI and JavaScript API.
What does write-good check?
Built-in checks cover passive voice, repeated words, sentence-opening phrases, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, and to-be verbs.
Can I customize its checks?
Yes. Users can disable checks, whitelist phrases, and supply custom checks.
What language does it support?
It is described as a linter for English prose. The README also lists schreib-gut as a basic German-language extension.
Facts from write-good's own pages
- Activity
- The repository commit history shows a latest listed commit dated March 10, 2025. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The README describes the tool as being for developers who want to improve their writing. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Checks
- Built-in checks cover passive voice, repeated words, sentence-opening phrases, weasel words, adverbs, wordiness, clichés, and to-be verbs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The command-line tool can lint glob patterns, text supplied directly, or text fetched from a remote file. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can disable checks, whitelist phrases, and supply custom checks. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Docker
- The README documents running write-good using a Docker Hub image or a locally built image. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project README lists integrations for Atom, Drafts, Obsidian, Visual Studio Code, Vim, Chrome, and Statick. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Language extensions
- The README lists schreib-gut as a basic German-language extension. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- write-good describes itself as a naive linter for English prose. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The package metadata specifies Node.js version 6 or later and npm version 5 or later. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The opened repository page shows a Security and quality section but states no security or compliance features in the README. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Suggestions
- Its JavaScript function accepts a string and returns an array of writing suggestions. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README asks users to open a pull request to add unlisted write-good extensions. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where write-good stands on Freedom251
- Writing Style Checkers#18 of 29