---
id: sort-lines
version: "0.3.0"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# sort-lines — alphabetize lines in files

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 78.2K/mo

## What it is and what it does

sort-lines is a command-line tool that alphabetizes lines within a file based on their indentation level. You mark a section for sorting by adding a `# pragma: alphabetize` comment on the line above the block you want sorted; the tool then alphabetizes all subsequent lines at the same indentation level until it encounters a line with different indentation or a blank line. It supports case-insensitive sorting via a `[case-insensitive]` option in the pragma comment or a command-line flag.

The tool is designed for Python code but works with any consistently indented text. It integrates with pre-commit hooks, making it useful for automated code formatting workflows. With no runtime dependencies and a straightforward installation, it's a lightweight utility for keeping lists, imports, or other line-based structures in alphabetical order without manual intervention.

Use it for:

- Alphabetize lists of names, imports, or configuration items in Python code by marking them with a pragma comment.
- Enforce consistent ordering of dictionary keys or array elements in code reviews via pre-commit hooks.
- Sort lines in any text file with consistent indentation, such as configuration files or data lists.
- Maintain alphabetical order in multi-line function arguments or class definitions.
- Automate line sorting in CI/CD pipelines to ensure reproducible, consistent code formatting.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Alphabetizes lines in files based on indentation levels, triggered by a pragma comment, with optional case-insensitive sorting.

Yes, if you need lightweight, pragma-driven line sorting in code or text files. The tool has no dependencies, installs easily, and integrates well with pre-commit workflows. It's actively maintained and carries no known security vulnerabilities. Suitable for teams that want to enforce alphabetical ordering without heavyweight formatters.

## Install

pip install sort-lines
uv add sort-lines
poetry add sort-lines

## Installing sort-lines

Before you install: Low friction install with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent commits; last release was 793 days ago but the repository shows ongoing activity.

License in practice: MIT license permits free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart:

pip install sort-lines

# Add to a Python file:
names = [  # pragma: alphabetize
    'Alice',
    'Bob',
    'Charlie',
]

# Run: sort-lines names.py

Requires Python 3.9 or later.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the tool handles nested indentation levels correctly in complex structures.
- Performance characteristics on very large files or deeply indented code blocks.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 78.2K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

sort lines alphabetically, alphabetize file contents, indentation-based line sorting, pragma comment sorting, code list formatter, pre-commit line sorter, code-formatter, pre-commit-hook

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/sort-lines) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/sort-lines/)