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Configuring Prettier for code formatting

Learn about Configuring Prettier for code formatting as part of TypeScript Full-Stack Development

Table of Contents

Configuring Prettier for Code Formatting in TypeScript

Prettier is an opinionated code formatter that enforces consistent style across your codebase. Integrating Prettier into your TypeScript full-stack development workflow is crucial for maintaining code quality, readability, and team collaboration. This module will guide you through setting up and configuring Prettier effectively.

What is Prettier and Why Use It?

Prettier automates code formatting, eliminating debates about style and saving developers time. It supports a wide range of languages, including TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and JSON. By enforcing a consistent style, Prettier makes code easier to read, understand, and maintain, especially in collaborative environments.

What is the primary benefit of using Prettier in a development team?

It eliminates style debates and ensures consistent code formatting, improving readability and collaboration.

Installation

To get started, you need to install Prettier as a development dependency in your TypeScript project. You can do this using npm or yarn.

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Basic Configuration

Prettier's configuration is typically managed in a

code
.prettierrc
file (e.g.,
code
.prettierrc.json
,
code
.prettierrc.js
,
code
.prettierrc.yaml
) or in your
code
package.json
under a
code
prettier
key. You can customize various formatting rules.

Prettier configuration allows customization of code style.

You can define rules like print width, tab width, and whether to use semicolons in a .prettierrc file.

Common configuration options include:

  • printWidth: The line length that the printer will wrap at.
  • tabWidth: How many spaces a tab is equal to.
  • useTabs: Whether to use tabs or spaces for indentation.
  • semi: Whether to print semicolons at the ends of statements.
  • singleQuote: Whether to use single quotes instead of double quotes.
  • trailingComma: Controls the use of trailing commas in multi-line lists and objects.

For TypeScript projects, it's highly recommended to use .prettierrc.json or .prettierrc.js for configuration.

Integrating with TypeScript

Prettier has excellent support for TypeScript out of the box. You don't need additional plugins for basic TypeScript formatting. Ensure your

code
.prettierrc
file is in the root of your project.

Prettier's core functionality is to parse code into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and then re-print it according to its formatting rules. This process ensures consistency regardless of the original code's formatting.

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Ignoring Files

You can specify files and directories that Prettier should ignore using a

code
.prettierignore
file in your project root. This is similar to
code
.gitignore
and is useful for excluding generated files, build outputs, or third-party code.

What file is used to tell Prettier which files to ignore?

.prettierignore

Running Prettier

You can run Prettier from your terminal to format files. The common commands are:

CommandDescription
npx prettier --write .Formats all supported files in the current directory and subdirectories.
npx prettier --check .Checks if files are formatted correctly without modifying them.
npx prettier --write "src/**/*.ts"Formats only TypeScript files within the 'src' directory.

Editor Integration

For the best experience, integrate Prettier with your code editor (like VS Code, WebStorm, etc.). This allows for on-save formatting or easy manual formatting. Most editors have extensions or built-in support for Prettier.

Setting Prettier to format on save significantly streamlines the development process and ensures consistent code without manual intervention.

Learning Resources

Prettier: An Opinionated Code Formatter(documentation)

The official Prettier website, providing comprehensive documentation on installation, configuration, and usage.

Prettier Configuration Options(documentation)

A detailed list of all available configuration options for customizing Prettier's behavior.

Prettier ESLint Plugin(documentation)

Learn how to integrate Prettier with ESLint to ensure both linting and formatting are handled consistently.

VS Code Prettier - Code formatter(documentation)

The official VS Code extension for Prettier, enabling on-save formatting and easy integration.

Prettier on npm(documentation)

The npm package page for Prettier, useful for checking versions and installation commands.

TypeScript Handbook: Configuration(documentation)

Understand your `tsconfig.json` file, which is essential for TypeScript projects and works alongside Prettier.

Best Practices for Code Formatting(blog)

A blog post discussing the importance of code formatting and how tools like Prettier fit into the workflow.

Mastering Prettier: A Comprehensive Guide(blog)

A detailed guide covering Prettier setup, configuration, and advanced usage scenarios.

Prettier vs. ESLint: What's the Difference?(blog)

Explains the roles of Prettier and ESLint and how they can be used together effectively.

Prettier GitHub Repository(documentation)

The source code repository for Prettier, offering insights into its development and issue tracking.