Linter
A tool that automatically flags mistakes and style problems in code, like ESLint.
Not the same as a test
A test asks whether the code does the right thing. A linter asks whether it is written in the agreed way — it will happily approve code that is wrong and complain about code that works.
Where it bites
An agent that can run your linter fixes its own style problems before you see them. One that cannot will keep producing diffs that fail your checks, and you will keep being the one to notice.
Covered in these lessons
Related terms
Where this comes up
Also written as linter, eslint, lint. Checked 2026-08-06.