alex

Check a file for insensitive language

$ alex [file.md]

$ alex [file1.md] [file2.md]

$ echo "This is crazy" | alex --stdin

$ alex --config [.alexrc] [file.md]

$ alex --reporter json [file.md]

alex [options] [files...]

alex catches insensitive, inconsiderate writing in text. It helps you find gender-favoring, polarizing, race-related, religion-inconsiderate, or other unequal phrasing in text.
The tool is designed for documentation, README files, and other written content, helping teams maintain inclusive language in their projects.

--stdin

Read from standard input

Treat input as plain text (not markdown)

Treat input as HTML

Configuration file path

Output format: json, compact, or default

Only report errors

Show detailed explanations

Display version

.alexrc

JSON or YAML configuration file in the project root. Defines allowed terms, custom rules, and language preferences.

Lists files and directories to exclude from checking, using gitignore-style patterns.

May produce false positives; review suggestions in context. Technical terms or proper nouns may be flagged incorrectly. Configuration allows allowlisting specific terms.

alex was created by Titus Wormer and released in 2015 as part of the unified.js ecosystem. It was designed to bring automated checking for inclusive language to the development workflow.

write-good(1), proselint(1), vale(1)