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Guide · Open source

How to use Slate: build a custom rich text editor in TypeScript

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Slate is an open-source TypeScript framework for building rich text editors on the web, such as editors with bold text, lists, links, or custom blocks. This guide is for developers who want to build their own editor inside a web app and need control over its data model and behavior. By the end you will know what Slate is, what you need before starting, how to get the source, and whether it suits your project.

Slateianstormtaylor/slate · ★ 31.7k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check Node.js. Confirm Node.js is installed, since it is the listed prerequisite for working with Slate.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command for the ianstormtaylor/slate repository to get the source on your machine.
  3. 3Read the README. Open the README in the cloned folder for setup and usage details, because the summary here does not include them.
  4. 4Check the licence. Confirm the MIT licence applies to your intended use before building on it.
  5. 5Assess the beta status. Decide whether a beta framework fits your project's stability needs.
  6. 6Plan your editor features. List the features you need, such as bold, lists, links or custom blocks, and confirm Slate can model them.

What Slate is and when to use it

Slate is described as a completely customizable framework. Instead of giving you one fixed editor, it lets you define your own document model and editing behavior.

This makes it a good fit when a standard editor does not match how your content is structured. It is less suited to simple text input, where a plain textarea or a lighter editor is enough.

  • Good fit: developers building a custom rich text editor in a web app
  • Good fit: teams that need control over the editor's data model and behavior
  • Poor fit: people who want a ready-made editor without writing code
  • Poor fit: projects that need a stable, non-beta dependency

What you need before you start

The source lists Node.js as the prerequisite. Install it before you work with Slate. The project's description also says it is currently in beta, so plan for that when deciding whether to depend on it.

  • Node.js installed on your machine
  • Git, so you can clone the repository

Get the Slate source code

The README shows cloning the repository with git. Run the command below in the folder where you want the project to live.

The source README was truncated, so any further setup steps, package names or usage examples are not covered here. Read the README in the cloned repository for those details.

git clone https://github.com/ianstormtaylor/slate

Check the licence and project status

Slate is released under the MIT licence, which the project lists alongside its language, TypeScript. Confirm the licence in the repository before you ship, since your own legal review may require it.

The project is marked as currently in beta. Treat this as a real risk when choosing it for production work, and test the parts of the API you rely on.

  • Licence: MIT
  • Language: TypeScript
  • Status: beta, according to the project description

Compare Slate with other editor frameworks

If Slate does not fit, the analysis lists several comparable projects. Each one takes a different approach to building rich text editors, so compare them against your own requirements.

  • ProseMirror
  • Lexical
  • TipTap
  • Quill

What people use it for

  • A custom rich text editor with bold, lists and links inside a web app
  • An editor with custom block types that a fixed editor does not offer
  • A React-based editing interface, since the project topics point to slate-react
  • A product where the team needs control over the editor's data model and behavior

Frequently asked questions

What is Slate used for?

Slate is a TypeScript framework for building rich text editors on the web. The project describes it as completely customizable, so you define the document model and behavior yourself.

Is Slate free to use?

Slate is released under the MIT licence, according to the project listing. Check the licence file in the repository to confirm the terms before you use it.

What do I need to install Slate?

The source lists Node.js as the prerequisite. The README shows cloning the repository with git clone, but the source does not give a full package install command, so read the README for setup steps.

Is Slate ready for production?

The project description says Slate is currently in beta. Projects that need a stable, non-beta dependency should evaluate that risk carefully before relying on it.

How does Slate compare to ProseMirror, Lexical, TipTap and Quill?

These are comparable projects in the same area of rich text editing. The source does not compare them in detail, so test each against your required features and data model.

Can I use Slate without writing code?

No. Slate is a framework for building an editor, so you need to write code to create one. If you want a ready-made editor, look at other options.

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Our verdict

Slate suits developers who are building a custom rich text editor and need control over its data model and behavior, especially in React projects. It is a poor choice for people who want a ready-made editor without coding, for simple text input, or for projects that cannot accept a beta dependency.

Install options & downloads