---
id: biomejs/biome/lint-rule-development
version: "37b9aa4c"
license: Apache-2.0
install: manual
updated: 2026-07-27
---

# lint-rule-development — This skill guides you through building new lint rules and assist actions for Biome. It covers rule scaffolding across multiple languages, implementation patterns with semantic analysis, code action setup, and the three-pillar diagnostic framework required for all rules. Use it when adding custom rules like noVar or useConst to Biome's codebase.

Publisher: biomejs · Stars: 25418 · Updated: 2026-07-27

Install (manual): `git clone https://github.com/biomejs/biome`

## SKILL.md

## Purpose

Use this skill when creating new lint rules or assist actions for Biome. It provides scaffolding commands, implementation patterns, testing workflows, and documentation guidelines.

## Prerequisites

1. Install required tools: `just install-tools`
2. Ensure `cargo`, `just`, and `pnpm` are available
3. Read `crates/biome_analyze/CONTRIBUTING.md` for in-depth concepts

## Common Workflows

### Create a New Lint Rule

Generate scaffolding for a JavaScript lint rule:

```shell
just new-js-lintrule useMyRuleName
```

For other languages:
```shell
just new-css-lintrule myRuleName
just new-json-lintrule myRuleName
just new-graphql-lintrule myRuleName
```

This creates a file in `crates/biome_<language>_analyze/src/lint/nursery/use_my_rule_name.rs`

All new lint rules **must** be placed in the `nursery` group, and require a patch changeset. Use the changeset skill to learn more about writing good changesets.

### Implement the Rule

Basic rule structure (generated by scaffolding):

```rust
use biome_analyze::{context::RuleContext, declare_lint_rule, Rule, RuleDiagnostic};
use biome_js_syntax::JsIdentifierBinding;
use biome_rowan::AstNode;

declare_lint_rule! {
    /// Disallows the use of prohibited identifiers.
    pub UseMyRuleName {
        version: "next",
        name: "useMyRuleName",
        language: "js",
        recommended: false,
    }
}

impl Rule for UseMyRuleName {
    type Query = Ast<JsIdentifierBinding>;
    type State = ();
    type Signals = Option<Self::State>;
    type Options = ();

    fn run(ctx: &RuleContext<Self>) -> Self::Signals {
        let binding = ctx.query();

        // Check if identifier matches your rule logic
        if binding.name_token().ok()?.text() == "prohibited_name" {
            return Some(());
        }

        None
    }

    fn diagnostic(ctx: &RuleContext<Self>, _state: &Self::State) -> Option<RuleDiagnostic> {
        let node = ctx.query();
        Some(
            RuleDiagnostic::new(
                rule_category!(),
                node.range(),
                // Pillar 1 — WHAT the error is.
                markup! {
                    "This identifier "<Emphasis>"prohibited_name"</Emphasis>" is not allowed."
                },
            )
            // Pillar 2 — WHY it is triggered / why it is a problem.
            .note(markup! {
                "Using this identifier leads to [specific problem]."
            })
            // Pillar 3 — WHAT the user should do to fix it.
            // Use a code action instead when an automated fix is possible.
            .note(markup! {
                "Replace it with [alternative] or remove it entirely."
            }),
        )
    }
}
```

Note: It's critically important to follow the guidelines in the `High Quality Diagnostics` section below when writing diagnostics.

### The Three Diagnostic Pillars (REQUIRED)

Every diagnostic **must** follow the three pillars defined in `crates/biome_analyze/CONTRIBUTING.md`:

| Pillar | Question answered | Implemented as |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **What** is the error? | The `RuleDiagnostic` message (first argument to `markup!`) |
| 2 | **Why** is it a problem? | A `.note()` explaining the consequence or rationale |
| 3 | **What should the user do?** | A code action (`action` fn), or a second `.note()` if no fix is available |

**Example from `noUnusedVariables`:**
```rust
RuleDiagnostic::new(
    rule_category!(),
    range,
    // Pillar 1: what
    markup! { "This variable "<Emphasis>{name}</Emphasis>" is unused." },
)
// Pillar 2: why
.note(markup! {
    "Unused variables are often the result of typos, incomplete refactors, or other sources of bugs."
})
// Pillar 3: what to do (here as a note; ideally a code action)
.note(markup! {
    "Remove the variable or use it."
})
```

**Common mistakes to avoid:**
- Combining pillars 2 and 3 into a single note — keep them separate.
- Writing pillar 3 as the only note, skipping pillar 2.
- Writing a pillar 1 message that already contains "why" — the message should stay short and factual; move the rationale to pillar 2.

### Using Semantic Model

For rules that need binding analysis:

```rust
use crate::services::semantic::Semantic;

impl Rule for MySemanticRule {
    type Query = Semantic<JsReferenceIdentifier>;

    fn run(ctx: &RuleContext<Self>) -> Self::Signals {
        let node = ctx.query();
        let model = ctx.model();

        // Check if binding is declared
        let binding = node.binding(model)?;

        // Get all references to this binding
        let all_refs = binding.all_references(model);

        // Get only read references
        let read_refs = binding.all_reads(model);

        // Get only write references
        let write_refs = binding.all_writes(model);

        Some(())
    }
}
```

### Add Code Actions (Fixes)

To provide automatic fixes:

```rust
use biome_analyze::FixKind;

declare_lint_rule! {
    pub UseMyRuleName {
        version: "next",
        name: "useMyRuleName",
        language: "js",
        recommended: false,
        fix_kind: FixKind::Safe, // or FixKind::Unsafe
    }
}

impl Rule for UseMyRuleName {
    fn action(ctx: &RuleContext<Self>, _state: &Self::State) -> Option<JsRuleAction> {
        let node = ctx.query();
        let mut mutation = ctx.root().begin();

        // Example: Replace the node
        mutation.replace_node(
            node.clone(),
            make::js_identifier_binding(make::ident("replacement"))
        );

        Some(JsRuleAction::new(
            ctx.metadata().action_category(ctx.category(), ctx.group()),
            ctx.metadata().applicability(),
            markup! { "Use 'replacement' instead" }.to_owned(),
            mutation,
        ))
    }
}
```

### Quick Testing

Use the quick test for rapid iteration:

```rust
// In crates/biome_js_analyze/tests/quick_test.rs
// Uncomment #[ignore] and modify:

const SOURCE: &str = r#"
const prohibited_name = 1;
"#;

let rule_filter = RuleFilter::Rule("nursery", "useMyRuleName");
```

Run the test:
```shell
cd crates/biome_js_analyze
cargo test quick_test -- --show-output
```

### Create Snapshot Tests

Create test files in `tests/specs/nursery/useMyRuleName/`:

```
tests/specs/nursery/useMyRuleName/
├── invalid.js          # Code that triggers the rule
├── valid.js            # Code that doesn't trigger the rule
└── options.json        # Optional rule configuration
```

**IMPORTANT: Magic Comments for Test Expectations**

All test files MUST include magic comments at the top to set expectations:

- **Valid tests** (should not generate diagnostics):
```javascript
/* should not generate diagnostics */
const allowed_name = 1;
```

- **Invalid tests** (should generate diagnostics):
```javascript
// should generate diagnostics
const prohibited_name = 1;
const another_prohibited = 2;
```

For HTML files:
```html
<!-- should not generate diagnostics -->
<!doctype html>
<html>...</html>
```

For languages that support both comment styles, use `/* */` or `//` as appropriate. The comment should be the very first line of the file.

These magic comments:
- Document the intent of the test file
- Help reviewers understand what's expected
- Serve as a quick reference when debugging test failures

Example `invalid.js`:
```javascript
// should generate diagnostics
**Every test file must start with a top-level comment** declaring whether it expects diagnostics. The test runner enforces this — see the `testing-codegen` skill for full rules. The short version:

`valid.js` — comment is **mandatory** (test panics without it):
```js
/* should not generate diagnostics */
const x = 1;
const y = 2;
```

`invalid.js` — comment is strongly recommended (also enforced when present):
```js
/* should generate diagnostics */
const prohibited_name = 1;
const another_prohibited = 2;
```

Example `valid.js`:
```javascript
/* should not generate diagnostics */
const allowed_name = 1;
const another_allowed = 2;
```

Run snapshot tests:
```shell
just test-lintrule useMyRuleName
```

Review snapshots:
```shell
cargo insta accept # accept all snapshots
cargo insta reject # reject all snapshots
```

### Generate Analyzer Code

During development, use the lightweight codegen commands:

```shell
just gen-rules          # Updates rule registrations in *_analyze crates
just gen-configuration  # Updates configuration schemas
```

These generate enough code to compile and test your rule without errors.

For full codegen (migrations, schema, bindings, formatting), run:

```shell
just gen-analyzer
```

**Note:** The CI autofix job runs `gen-analyzer` automatically when you open a PR, so running it locally is optional.

### Format and Lint

Before committing:
```shell
just f  # Format code
just l  # Lint code
```

### Adding Configurable Options

When a rule needs user-configurable behavior, add options via the `biome_rule_options` crate.
For the full reference (merge strategies, design guidelines, common patterns), see
[references/OPTIONS.md](references/OPTIONS.md).

**Quick workflow:**

**Step 1.** Define the options type in `biome_rule_options/src/<snake_case_rule_name>.rs`:

```rust
use biome_deserialize_macros::{Deserializable, Merge};
use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};

#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Deserializable, Merge)]
#[cfg_attr(feature = "schema", derive(schemars::JsonSchema))]
#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", deny_unknown_fields, default)]
pub struct UseMyRuleNameOptions {
    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
    pub behavior: Option<MyBehavior>,
}
```

**Step 2.** Wire it into the rule:

```rust
use biome_rule_options::use_my_rule_name::UseMyRuleNameOptions;

impl Rule for UseMyRuleName {
    type Options = UseMyRuleNameOptions;

    fn run(ctx: &RuleContext<Self>) -> Self::Signals {
        let options = ctx.options();
        let behavior = options.behavior.unwrap_or_default();
        // ...
    }
}
```

**Step 3.** Test with `options.json` in the test directory (see [references/OPTIONS.md](references/OPTIONS.md) for examples).

**Step 4.** Document the options in the rule's rustdoc comments, including valid and invalid test cases for each option.

**Step 5.** Run codegen: `just gen-rules && just gen-configuration`

**Key rules:**
- All fields must be `Option<T>` for config merging to work
- Use `Box<[Box<str>]>` instead of `Vec<String>` for collection fields
- Use `#[derive(Merge)]` for simple cases, implement `Merge` manually for collections
- Only add options when truly needed (conflicting community preferences, multiple valid interpretations)
- All options must be documented in the rule's documentation.

## Tips

- **Rule naming**: Use `no*` prefix for rules that forbid something (e.g., `noVar`), `use*` for rules that mandate something (e.g., `useConst`)
- **Nursery group**: All new rules start in the `nursery` group
- **Semantic queries**: Use `Semantic<Node>` query when you need binding/scope analysis
- **Multiple signals**: Return `Vec<Self::State>` or `Box<[Self::State]>` to emit multiple diagnostics
- **Safe vs Unsafe fixes**: Mark fixes as `Unsafe` if they could change program behavior
- **Check for globals**: Always verify if a variable is global before reporting it (use semantic model)
- **Error recovery**: When navigating CST, use `.ok()?` pattern to handle missing nodes gracefully
- **Testing arrays**: Use `.jsonc` files with arrays of code snippets for multiple test cases

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

Generally, mistakes revolve around allocating unnecessary data during rule execution, which can lead to performance issues. Common examples include:

- Placing `String` or `Box<str>` in a Rule's `State` type. It's a strong indicator that you are allocating a string unnecessarily. If the string comes from a CST token, this usually can be avoided by using `TokenText` instead.
- Building strings or other data structures only used in the code action in `run()` instead of `action()`. `run()` should only decide whether to emit a diagnostic; `action()` should build the fix. This matters for performance because building the action can be expensive, and we should avoid doing it when no diagnostic is emitted.
- Recursion. It's often completely unnecessary to write recursive functions, especially when you need to traverse node trees. There are existing utilities like `ancestors()`, `descendants()`, and `preorder()` that can cover the vast majority of cases.

## Common Query Types

```rust
// Simple AST query
type Query = Ast<JsVariableDeclaration>;

// Semantic query (needs binding info)
type Query = Semantic<JsReferenceIdentifier>;

// Multiple node types (requires declare_node_union!)
declare_node_union! {
    pub AnyFunctionLike = AnyJsFunction | JsMethodObjectMember | JsMethodClassMember
}
type Query = Semantic<AnyFunctionLike>;
```

## High Quality Diagnostics

Diagnostics must convey, in order: (1) what the problem is, (2) why it is a problem, (3) how to fix it — the fix goes in the `action()` message when one exists, otherwise in the diagnostic advice. This is the same three-pillar rule shown in the diagnostic example near the top of this skill.

For the full treatment — message vs. advice, code frames, good and bad phrasing examples, severity levels — see the [diagnostics-development](../diagnostics-development/SKILL.md) skill, which is the canonical source. Do not duplicate that guidance here.

## Tips

- New rules are always in the `nursery` group. No need to move them to another category.
- Changesets are always required for new rules. New rules are `patch` level changes. There's a skill to help write good changesets.

## References

- Full guide: `crates/biome_analyze/CONTRIBUTING.md`
- Rule examples: `crates/biome_js_analyze/src/lint/`
- Semantic model: Search for `Semantic<` in existing rules
- Testing guide: Main `CONTRIBUTING.md` testing section


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