ESLint Config Inspector — Visually inspect and understand your ESLint flat configurations to debug and optimize code linting.

Analyzed by · Developer Tools · Linting · View on GitHub

What It Is

Imagine your ESLint configuration file is a complex instruction manual for how your code should look. This tool is like an interactive table of contents and glossary for that manual, letting you see exactly which rules apply to which files and why. It visualizes the entire setup, from plugins to overrides, in a clear web interface.

This matters because ESLint configs can become incredibly intricate, leading to confusion, unexpected linting errors, or rules not applying where they should. It solves the problem of 'why is this linting error happening here?' or 'which rule is actually active for this file?', saving developers hours of debugging and ensuring consistent code quality.

ESLint Config Inspector GitHub repository card

License Verdict

Apache-2.0 License — Build and Sell Freely — Commercial Use Approved • Patents Protected • Attribution Required

The Apache-2.0 license is highly permissive for commercial use. You can freely use, modify, distribute, and sell software built with this project. You must include the original copyright and license notice, and any patent grants from contributors are passed along.

How to Use It

To get started, navigate to your project's root directory that contains an 'eslint.config.js' file. Then, use 'pnpx' to run the inspector directly, which will launch a local web server for you to view your configuration.

Prerequisites:

Estimated setup time: 5 minutes.

cd your-project-with-eslint-config
pnpx @eslint/config-inspector
# Open http://localhost:7777 in your browser

What I'd Build With This

ESLint Config Auditor for Open Source (micro-saas)

Offer a simple web service where developers can upload or link their 'eslint.config.js' (or a GitHub repo) for an instant visual audit. The service would highlight potential conflicts, redundant rules, or suggest best practices based on common patterns. Indie developers and small open-source projects would pay a small one-time fee or a low monthly subscription for clarity and peace of mind.

Effort: 1 Week Build Time · Target: Open Source Maintainers, Indie Devs · Pricing: $9/report or $19/mo

Team ESLint Config Management Platform (saas)

Build a SaaS platform for engineering teams to manage, version, and share their ESLint configurations. It would allow visual comparison of config changes, provide a sandbox to test rule modifications, and integrate with CI/CD pipelines to ensure config compliance. Teams struggling with inconsistent code styles across multiple repositories or complex monorepos would pay for centralized control and visibility.

Effort: 3 Months Build Time · Target: Mid-sized Engineering Teams · Pricing: $99-$499/mo per team

Internal DevTool: Linting Policy Enforcer (enterprise)

Develop a custom internal tool for large enterprises to enforce strict code quality and security linting policies. This would integrate the inspector with their internal Git hosting, custom rule repositories, and developer onboarding flows. It could automatically generate 'policy compliance reports' for new projects or pull requests, ensuring all code adheres to corporate standards. Large organizations with hundreds of developers would pay for compliance and consistency.

Effort: 6 Months Build Time · Target: Large Enterprises (Internal DevTools) · Pricing: Custom Enterprise Pricing ($5k+/mo)

Sai Pavan Gopularam's Take

This tool is a godsend for anyone wrestling with complex ESLint setups. The ability to visually debug what's happening with your linting rules is a huge time-saver. You could easily build a micro-SaaS offering config audits for $9 a pop, targeting developers who just want to understand their config without diving deep into the docs.

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