Freedom251 › Code Formatting Tools
Zig fmt
What Zig fmt is
Zig fmt formats Zig source code into a canonical style and is included with the Zig toolchain. It parses code using support from Zig's standard library. With the `--check` flag, it lists files that do not conform on standard output and exits with an error if any are found, without changing those files. The Zig build system can run the formatter across a codebase or a selected subset. It can also convert invalid source encodings to valid ones, including by removing byte order marks and carriage returns. Zig fmt is for Zig code and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux as part of the free, open-source toolchain. Release notes cite integrations for Vim and VSCode, and Zig can also be installed through a package manager. Release files are signed with minisign, and the download page recommends community mirrors for automated downloads. The Zig Software Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports Zig and its community and asks for recurring donations to fund development, maintenance, and support.
Who it suits
It suits developers working with Zig who want consistent formatting, including through the Zig build system or cited Vim and VSCode integrations. Teams can use check mode to identify files that need formatting without modifying them.
What it does well
- Formats Zig code to a canonical style
- Check mode reports without changing files
- Build system can format all or part of a codebase
- Can convert invalid source encodings
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
What to know first
- Formats Zig code only
- No free trial is listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Zig fmt (included with Zig) | Zig source formatting · available as part of the Zig toolchain | Free |
As ziglang.org lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Zig documentation page for zig fmt.
- Install Zig from a release or through a package manager.
- Choose a Zig distribution for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Run zig fmt on a codebase or a subset through the Zig build system.
- Use --check to list files that do not conform without modifying them.
Verdict
Zig fmt provides canonical formatting and a non-modifying check mode within the Zig toolchain. Its scope is limited to Zig code, and the toolchain is free and open source.
Questions
What does Zig fmt format?
It formats Zig code to a canonical style.
How much does Zig fmt cost?
The listed plan, Zig fmt (included with Zig), costs nothing.
Which platforms does it support?
Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Does Zig fmt have editor integrations?
Release notes cite integrations for Vim and VSCode.
Can it check files without changing them?
Yes. The --check flag lists nonconforming files on stdout and exits with an error if the list is nonempty, without modifying file contents.
Is Zig open source?
Yes. The listed license model is open source.
Facts from Zig fmt's own pages
- Automation
- The download page recommends community mirrors for automated downloads to avoid downtime and help reduce bandwidth costs. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Build system
- The Zig build system can run `zig fmt` on a codebase or a subset of it. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- C and C++ projects
- The Zig home page says developers can use Zig as a zero-dependency C and C++ compiler with cross-compilation, and add Zig compilation units to C/C++ projects. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Check mode
- The `--check` flag lists nonconforming files on stdout and exits with an error if the list is nonempty, without modifying file contents. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Zig releases are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the download page says release files are signed with minisign. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Editor integrations
- The release notes cite integrations for Vim and VSCode. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Encoding cleanup
- `zig fmt` can convert invalid source encodings to valid ones, including by stripping byte order marks and carriage returns. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- How it works
- The formatter uses Zig code parsing support from the standard library. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- How to run
- The Zig build system can run `zig fmt` on a codebase or a subset of it. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The download page lists Zig releases for Linux x86_64, aarch64, arm, riscv64, powerpc64le, x86, loongarch64, and s390x. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- macOS support
- The download page lists Zig releases for macOS x86_64 and aarch64. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Maintainer organization
- The Zig Software Foundation is described as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2020 to support Zig development. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Offline documentation
- The language reference states that its HTML document depends on no external files and can be used offline. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Package managers
- The download page says Zig can also be installed from a package manager. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Part of Zig
- The download page provides Zig distributions that include the language reference and standard library documentation. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- `zig fmt` formats Zig code to a canonical style. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Release channel
- The download page lists a master build dated 2026-10-08 and links to its language reference and standard library documentation. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Signed files
- The download page says files are signed with minisign and provides a public key. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Source encoding
- The documentation says `zig fmt` can convert invalid source encodings to valid ones, including by stripping byte order marks and carriage returns. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Support and funding
- The foundation asks for recurring donations to fund ongoing software development, maintenance, and support. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- Zig describes itself as a general-purpose programming language and toolchain for maintaining robust, optimal, and reusable software. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The download page lists Zig releases for Windows x86_64, aarch64, and x86. · ziglang.org, 8 Oct 2026
Where Zig fmt stands on Freedom251
- Code Formatting Tools#29 of 34