ALE is a plugin for Vim and Neovim that provides asynchronous linting and code fixing with Language Server Protocol support.
The plugin solves the problem of getting real-time feedback on code quality without blocking the editor. It uses Vim 8 and Neovim job control functions and timers to run linters on buffer contents as you type, displaying warnings and errors before files are saved. Beyond linting, ALE offers a `:ALEFix` command for non-blocking code fixing with tools like prettier, eslint, and autopep8. It also acts as a Language Server Protocol client, supporting diagnostics, go-to-definition, completion, finding references, hover information, and symbol search.
ALE suits developers who want immediate syntax and semantic feedback while editing in Vim or Neovim without adding external dependencies or complexity. The plugin is designed to have minimal overhead, loading Language Server Protocol code only when needed. It requires no JavaScript or Python, runs in remote shells and git commit contexts, and works on Windows. The tool offers near-zero configuration with sensible defaults while remaining highly customizable through well-documented options.
The project maintains a stable codebase with extremely rare breaking changes. Development activity shows consistent engagement with issues and pull requests, though the maintainers have explicitly requested additional help managing the volume of submissions. The plugin integrates with Neovim's built-in LSP client and diagnostics systems where available while supporting older Vim and Neovim versions.
