Biome for Better Code

Not (Yet) Your ESLint & Prettier Replacement, But Worth a Try

Credit : Eka Yuda Rayi Anugrah 

Introduction

For code quality, JavaScript and TypeScript development frequently calls for a variety of tools, including linters to detect errors, formatters to guarantee a consistent style, and other tools to keep the project in good condition. Developers have historically relied on programs like ESLint, Prettier, and several plugins, each of which requires its own setup and maintenance.

In 2025, software development has become increasingly complex, yet ironically, simplicity has emerged as a key competitive edge. The trend is evident: companies that focus on enhancing Developer Experience (DX) are not only accelerating their delivery but also drawing in and keeping the best talent. When DX is a good guarantee for productivity, building apps will be faster than before.

Why DX Matters in 2025

1. AI-Powered Development Demands Smooth Workflows With AI assistants like GitHub Copilot X, Replit Ghostwriter, and Codeium becoming standard tools, developers now spend less time on repetitive tasks and more on applying AI-generated suggestions. But without a frictionless development environment, these tools can create distractions instead of adding value.
2. Losing Developers Is Costly Replacing a developer can cost over $100,000 when you factor in recruitment, onboarding, and downtime. A poor developer experience is one of the main reasons developers leave.
3. Speed to Market Is Critical Teams that invest in good DX release features will be faster. A streamlined workflow reduces delays, improves quality, and results in a better experience for end users.
4. DX Shapes Your Reputation Developers talk, and companies known for great internal tooling—like Stripe, Shopify, and Netflix—attract top talent. The quality of your developer experience is part of your public image.

When Developer Experience (DX) is lacking, even the most skilled engineers can struggle. But when DX is well-designed, it empowers even less experienced developers to succeed.

DX encompasses:

1. Tooling and development environments
2. CI/CD pipelines
3. Documentation quality
4. etc

Biome, on the other hand, is faster and more opinionated. While it allows some customization, it prioritizes speed and consistency. Its configuration is simpler than ESLint and Prettier.

What is Biome?

Biome is a standardized, high-performance Rust toolchain designed to simplify this fragmented ecosystem. Biome bundles linting, formatting, and other developer tools into a single, unified package that is both quick and simple.

Born from the legacy of Rome Tools project, Biome carries forward the idea that web development tools should be streamlined and cohesive. It offers an all-in-one solution, reducing the risk of configuration clashes and compatibility problems that typically occur with using several independent tools.

Key features

1. Built in Rust (formerly known as Rome)
2. Combines linting, formatting, and bundling in one tool
3. Designed for high-speed performance

Example Biome Configuration (biome.json):

Strengths of Biome:

1. Blazing-Fast Performance Built with Rust, Biome outperforms most JavaScript formatting and linting tools, offering near-instantaneous feedback even in large codebases.
2. Minimal Setup, Maximum Flexibility Works out of the box with sensible defaults, yet allows deep customization for teams with specific needs.
3. Built for Scale Handles projects of any size smoothly, maintaining speed and consistency as codebases grow.
4. Seamless Editor Support Integrates effortlessly with VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, and other major IDEs, with built-in plugin compatibility.
5. Clear, Actionable Feedback Provides detailed error messages and suggestions, making it easier to resolve issues quickly.

Current Limitations:

1. Still Gaining Maturity As a newer tool, Biome doesn’t yet have the vast plugin ecosystem of ESLint or Prettier.
2. Adjustment Period Required Teams heavily reliant on ESLint/Prettier may need time to adapt to Biome’s conventions and workflows.
3. Rules Some rules on Biome need to add some new rules, like prettier and eslint
4. Narrower Language Coverage Primarily supports JavaScript and TypeScript, while ESLint’s plugin system extends to CSS, HTML, and more.

Biome Vs ESLint and Prettier Comparison

1. Performance Biome delivers faster performance than Prettier or ESLint, largely due to its Rust-based architecture. This speed advantage makes it particularly appealing for developers handling large codebases or aiming to improve build efficiency.
2. Configuration Flexibility ESLint stands out with its high level of customization and a vast plugin ecosystem, making it well-suited for teams with unique coding requirements or working across multiple frameworks and languages. In contrast, Biome takes a more opinionated approach, offering a streamlined configuration experience that favors consistency and simplicity over extensive customization.
3. Tooling Capabilities While ESLint focuses solely on linting, Biome offers a broader set of features by combining linting, formatting, and bundling into one tool. This all-in-one approach can be ideal for developers seeking a unified and cohesive development workflow.
4. Plugin Support ESLint has a mature and robust plugin ecosystem, giving it an edge in flexibility and extensibility. Biome, as a newer tool, currently lacks the same level of community-driven extensions, which may be a limitation for teams needing specialized tools or integrations.

Usage Experience

Biome offers smoother, faster, and more integrated developer experience compared to traditional setups with ESLint and Prettier. Here’s what using Biome feels like in practice:

• Zero Configuration for Quick Start Starting a new project should be exciting, not bogged down by tool configuration. With Biome, you hit the ground running—zero setup, instant results. Just run 'biome check' for smart linting that guides you, and 'biome format' for instant, consistent styling. It works seamlessly from the first command, like a built-in code quality partner, so you can focus on what matters: building great software without the setup headaches. default configuration  Running npx biome check Running npx biome format

• Near-instant Feedback in Development Ever been stuck waiting for ESLint to finish linting, Biome changes the game—its Rust-powered engine delivers near-instant feedback the moment you save, with no lag, no matter your project size. Like a silent co-pilot, it keeps your code without slowing you down, so you stay in the zone, coding at the speed of thought. Biome Prettier

• Unified Toolchain Reduces Tool Fatigue Biome cuts through the noise with a single solution - one tool to rule them all. Just one biome.json config handles both your linting rules and formatting preferences. Run biome check and biome format to get instant, consistent results across your entire codebase. No more context switching between tools, no more merging conflicting configs. Just clean, optimized code so you can focus on building great user experiences. biome.json .prettierrc.js eslintrc.js

• IDE Integration Feels Native Biome's IDE integration works seamlessly in your development workflow. When you save a file, it instantly shows errors with clear explanations and automatically formats your code. The inline suggestions aren't just helpful - they provide quick fixes that let you solve problems without interrupting your coding. Unlike other tools that feel disruptive, Biome quietly enhances your editor to help you work more efficiently.

• Gradual Adoption is Possible Migrating to Biome doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Your team can transition gradually by keeping your existing Prettier or ESLint setup while slowly integrating Biome's features one at a time. This flexible approach lets you adopt Biome at your own pace, maintaining stability while modernizing your toolchain without disruption.

• Missing Niche Rules Biome currently doesn't support framework-specific rules like those in eslint-plugin-import for Angular. For teams needing these advanced capabilities, a pragmatic solution is to maintain ESLint alongside Biome for those edge cases—though this does add some complexity to your toolchain.

• Less Community Since Biome is newer than ESLint and Prettier, it currently has less community support—you'll find far fewer Stack Overflow answers compared to ESLint's decade of accumulated knowledge. Many teams still default to the older tools simply because they're more established, even though Biome offers modern advantages. As adoption grows, this gap will likely close, but for now, it's a consideration for teams needing extensive troubleshooting resources.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced development landscape, where Developer Experience (DX) directly impacts productivity, retention, and speed to market, tools like Biome offer a compelling solution. By combining linting, formatting, and bundling into a single, high-performance toolchain, Biome eliminates the friction of managing multiple configurations while delivering blazing-fast feedback—helping developers stay in flow. Its sensible defaults, near-instant performance, and seamless IDE integration make it ideal for teams looking to reduce tool fatigue and focus on building great software.

That said, Biome isn’t a one-size-fits-all replacement—teams with highly customized rules or framework-specific needs may still rely on Prettier or ESLint for edge cases. And while its younger ecosystem means fewer community resources today, Biome’s Rust-based architecture and unified approach position it as a future-proof choice for modern web development. Whether adopting it incrementally or going all-in, Biome represents a shift toward simpler, faster, and more cohesive DX—a trend that will only grow as developers demand tools that work for them, not against them.

If you value speed, consistency, and a streamlined workflow, Biome is worth exploring. But if your project depends on deep Prettier & ESLint customization or niche plugins, a hybrid approach may be the pragmatic path—for now.

Reference

1. https://biomejs.dev/
2. https://medium.com/@ignatovich.dm/getting-started-with-biome-a-modern-web-development-toolchain-7c9046cebbfc
3. https://medium.com/lets-code-future/the-rise-of-developer-experience-dx-why-it-matters-more-than-ever-cb80c9c3ac30
4. https://medium.com/@onix_react/biome-as-an-alternative-to-eslint-0796a4efff7d
5. https://medium.com/@rphilogene/what-is-developer-experience-devex-and-why-it-matters-a97298313b9e
6. https://uxmag.com/articles/effective-developer-experience