Shiki
A syntax highlighter for code, based on TextMate grammars, published as an npm package.
- Stars
- 13.9k
- Forks
- 613
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- TypeScript
- Last update
- 4 days ago
- Type
- Library
What it is
Shiki colors source code so it is easier to read, using the same kind of grammar files that the TextMate and VS Code editors use. The README describes it as accurate and powerful, and it is published on npm as the package shiki. Developers typically use it to show highlighted code in documentation sites, blogs, or web pages.
- Add colored code blocks to a static documentation site
- Highlight code snippets in a Markdown-based blog
- Render syntax-highlighted code on a web page using the npm package
Great for
- Developers building documentation or blog sites that show code samples
- Teams that want highlighting that matches TextMate or VS Code grammar rules
- TypeScript or JavaScript projects that already use npm
Not ideal for
- People who only need to edit code: the README describes a highlighter, not an editor
- Projects that cannot use npm or JavaScript, since the README only documents the npm package
- Users looking for a ready-made app: the README does not describe a standalone program
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Node.js · npm
Install the npm package
npm install shiki - 2
Run it
- Install the package with npm install shiki in a Node.js project
- Read the usage guide at https://shiki.style
- Call the highlighter from your build or page code to render a code sample
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Follow the documentation at shiki.style for the current API
- Check the branch table in the README if you need an older major version (v3, v2, v1, or v0)
- Use the npm package page to track version updates
Downloads
Strengths
- The README says it is based on TextMate grammars, so it follows a widely used grammar format
- It is published as an npm package with documentation at shiki.style
- It is released under the MIT license, which permits broad reuse
Trade-offs
- The README is short and points to external documentation for usage details
- The README does not list specific language counts or themes, so those details are unverified here
- Major versions are split across branches, so users must pick the right version (the README lists v0 through v4)
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| shiki (this) | 13.9k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers building documentation or blog sites that show code samples |
| prism | 13.1k | Library | beginner | 22 days ago | Web developers who want to show code snippets on a website |
| rich | 57.7k | Library | beginner | 5 months ago | Python developers who write command-line scripts and want clearer output |
| markdown-it | 22k | Library | intermediate | 13 days ago | JavaScript or TypeScript developers who need to render Markdown in a Node.js or browser project |
| mdx | 19.8k | Library | intermediate | 7 days ago | Developers building documentation or content sites in React, Preact, or Vue |
| tui.editor | 18k | Library | intermediate | 2.3 years ago | Web developers who want an embeddable Markdown editor in their own site or app |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.