Linter rules

Use the Dart linter to identify possible problems in your Dart code. You can use the linter through your IDE or with the dart analyze command. For information on how to enable and disable individual linter rules, see individual rules sections of the analyzer documentation.

This page lists all the linter rules, with details such as when you might want to use each rule, what code patterns trigger it, and how you might fix your code.

To avoid the need to individually select compatible linter rules, consider starting with a linter rule set, which the following packages provide:

lints

Contains two rule sets curated by the Dart team. We recommend using at least the core rule set, which is used when scoring packages uploaded to pub.dev. Or, better yet, use the recommended rule set, a superset of core that identifies additional issues and enforces style and format. If you're writing Flutter code, use the rule set in the flutter_lints package, which builds on lints.

flutter_lints

Contains the flutter rule set, which the Flutter team encourages you to use in Flutter apps, packages, and plugins. This rule set is a superset of the recommended set, which is itself a superset of the core set that partially determines the score of packages uploaded to pub.dev.

To learn how to use a specific rule set, visit the documentation for enabling and disabling linter rules.

To find more predefined rule sets, check out the #lints topic on pub.dev.

Each rule has a status or maturity level:

Stable

These rules are safe to use and are verified as functional with the latest versions of the Dart language. All rules are considered stable unless they're marked as experimental, deprecated, or removed.

Experimental

These rules are still under evaluation and might never be stabilized. Use these with caution and report any issues you come across.

Deprecated

These rules are no longer suggested for use and might be removed in a future Dart release.

Removed

These rules have been already been removed in the latest stable Dart release.

Some rules can be fixed automatically using quick fixes. A quick fix is an automated edit targeted at fixing the issue reported by the linter rule.

If the rule has a quick fix, it can be applied using dart fix or using your editor with Dart support. To learn more, see Quick fixes for analysis issues.

The following is an index of all linter rules and a short description of their functionality. To learn more about each rule, click on its name.

For an auto-generated list containing all linter rules in Dart 3.5.3, check out All linter rules.

always_declare_return_types

Declare method return types.

always_put_control_body_on_new_line

Separate the control structure expression from its statement.

always_put_required_named_parameters_first

Put required named parameters first.

always_require_non_null_named_parameters (Removed)
Specify @required on named parameters without defaults.

always_specify_types

Specify type annotations.

always_use_package_imports

Avoid relative imports for files in lib/.

annotate_overrides

Annotate overridden members.

annotate_redeclares (Experimental)

Annotate redeclared members.

avoid_annotating_with_dynamic

Avoid annotating with dynamic when not required.

avoid_as (Removed)
Avoid using as.

avoid_bool_literals_in_conditional_expressions
Avoid bool literals in conditional expressions.

avoid_catches_without_on_clauses
Avoid catches without on clauses.

avoid_catching_errors
Don't explicitly catch Error or types that implement it.

avoid_classes_with_only_static_members
Avoid defining a class that contains only static members.

avoid_double_and_int_checks
Avoid double and int checks.

avoid_dynamic_calls
Avoid method calls or property accesses on a dynamic target.

avoid_empty_else

Avoid empty statements in else clauses.

avoid_equals_and_hash_code_on_mutable_classes
Avoid overloading operator == and hashCode on classes not marked @immutable.

avoid_escaping_inner_quotes

Avoid escaping inner quotes by converting surrounding quotes.

avoid_field_initializers_in_const_classes
Avoid field initializers in const classes.

avoid_final_parameters
Avoid final for parameter declarations.

avoid_function_literals_in_foreach_calls

Avoid using forEach with a function literal.

avoid_futureor_void (Unreleased)
Avoid using 'FutureOr' as the type of a result.

avoid_implementing_value_types
Don't implement classes that override ==.

avoid_init_to_null

Don't explicitly initialize variables to null.

avoid_js_rounded_ints
Avoid JavaScript rounded ints.

avoid_multiple_declarations_per_line

Don't declare multiple variables on a single line.

avoid_null_checks_in_equality_operators (Removed)
Don't check for null in custom == operators.

avoid_positional_boolean_parameters
Avoid positional boolean parameters.

avoid_print

Avoid print calls in production code.

avoid_private_typedef_functions

Avoid private typedef functions.

avoid_redundant_argument_values

Avoid redundant argument values.

avoid_relative_lib_imports

Avoid relative imports for files in lib/.

avoid_renaming_method_parameters

Don't rename parameters of overridden methods.

avoid_return_types_on_setters

Avoid return types on setters.

avoid_returning_null (Removed)
Avoid returning null from members whose return type is bool, double, int, or num.

avoid_returning_null_for_future (Removed)
Avoid returning null for Future.

avoid_returning_null_for_void

Avoid returning null for void.

avoid_returning_this
Avoid returning this from methods just to enable a fluent interface.

avoid_setters_without_getters
Avoid setters without getters.

avoid_shadowing_type_parameters

Avoid shadowing type parameters.

avoid_single_cascade_in_expression_statements

Avoid single cascade in expression statements.

avoid_slow_async_io
Avoid slow asynchronous dart:io methods.

avoid_type_to_string
Avoid.toString() in production code since results may be minified.

avoid_types_as_parameter_names

Avoid types as parameter names.

avoid_types_on_closure_parameters

Avoid annotating types for function expression parameters.

avoid_unnecessary_containers

Avoid unnecessary containers.

avoid_unstable_final_fields (Removed)
Avoid overriding a final field to return different values if called multiple times.

avoid_unused_constructor_parameters

Avoid defining unused parameters in constructors.

avoid_void_async

Avoid async functions that return void.

avoid_web_libraries_in_flutter

Avoid using web-only libraries outside Flutter web plugin packages.

await_only_futures

Await only futures.

camel_case_extensions

Name extensions using UpperCamelCase.

camel_case_types

Name types using UpperCamelCase.

cancel_subscriptions
Cancel instances of dart:async StreamSubscription.

cascade_invocations

Cascade consecutive method invocations on the same reference.

cast_nullable_to_non_nullable

Don't cast a nullable value to a non nullable type.

close_sinks
Close instances of dart:core Sink.

collection_methods_unrelated_type

Invocation of various collection methods with arguments of unrelated types.

combinators_ordering

Sort combinator names alphabetically.

comment_references

Only reference in-scope identifiers in doc comments.

conditional_uri_does_not_exist
Missing conditional import.

constant_identifier_names

Prefer using lowerCamelCase for constant names.

control_flow_in_finally

Avoid control flow in finally blocks.

curly_braces_in_flow_control_structures

DO use curly braces for all flow control structures.

dangling_library_doc_comments

Attach library doc comments to library directives.

depend_on_referenced_packages

Depend on referenced packages.

deprecated_consistency
Missing deprecated annotation.

deprecated_member_use_from_same_package

Avoid using deprecated elements from within the package in which they are declared.

diagnostic_describe_all_properties

DO reference all public properties in debug methods.

directives_ordering

Adhere to Effective Dart Guide directives sorting conventions.

discarded_futures

Don't invoke asynchronous functions in non-async blocks.

do_not_use_environment
Do not use environment declared variables.

document_ignores
Document ignore comments.

empty_catches

Avoid empty catch blocks.

empty_constructor_bodies

Use ; instead of {} for empty constructor bodies.

empty_statements

Avoid empty statements.

enable_null_safety (Removed)
Do use sound null safety.

eol_at_end_of_file

Put a single newline at end of file.

exhaustive_cases

Define case clauses for all constants in enum-like classes.

file_names

Name source files using lowercase_with_underscores.

flutter_style_todos

Use Flutter TODO format: // TODO(username): message, https://URL-to-issue.

hash_and_equals

Always override hashCode if overriding ==.

implementation_imports

Don't import implementation files from another package.

implicit_call_tearoffs

Explicitly tear-off call methods when using an object as a Function.

implicit_reopen (Experimental)

Don't implicitly reopen classes.

invalid_case_patterns (Experimental)

Use case expressions that are valid in Dart 3.0.

invalid_runtime_check_with_js_interop_types

Avoid runtime type tests with JS interop types where the result may not be platform-consistent.

invariant_booleans (Removed)
Conditions should not unconditionally evaluate to true or to false.

iterable_contains_unrelated_type (Removed)
Invocation of Iterable<E>.contains with references of unrelated types.

join_return_with_assignment
Join return statement with assignment when possible.

leading_newlines_in_multiline_strings

Start multiline strings with a newline.

library_annotations

Attach library annotations to library directives.

library_names
Name libraries using lowercase_with_underscores.

library_prefixes

Use lowercase_with_underscores when specifying a library prefix.

library_private_types_in_public_api

Avoid using private types in public APIs.

lines_longer_than_80_chars
Avoid lines longer than 80 characters.

list_remove_unrelated_type (Removed)
Invocation of remove with references of unrelated types.

literal_only_boolean_expressions
Boolean expression composed only with literals.

matching_super_parameters
Use matching super parameter names.

missing_code_block_language_in_doc_comment
A code block is missing a specified language.

missing_whitespace_between_adjacent_strings
Missing whitespace between adjacent strings.

no_adjacent_strings_in_list
Don't use adjacent strings in list.

no_default_cases (Experimental)
No default cases.

no_duplicate_case_values

Don't use more than one case with same value.

no_leading_underscores_for_library_prefixes

Avoid leading underscores for library prefixes.

no_leading_underscores_for_local_identifiers

Avoid leading underscores for local identifiers.

no_literal_bool_comparisons

Don't compare boolean expressions to boolean literals.

no_logic_in_create_state

Don't put any logic in createState.

no_runtimeType_toString
Avoid calling toString() on runtimeType.

no_self_assignments
Don't assign a variable to itself.

no_wildcard_variable_uses

Don't use wildcard parameters or variables.

non_constant_identifier_names

Name non-constant identifiers using lowerCamelCase.

noop_primitive_operations

Noop primitive operations.

null_check_on_nullable_type_parameter

Don't use null check on a potentially nullable type parameter.

null_closures

Do not pass null as an argument where a closure is expected.

omit_local_variable_types

Omit type annotations for local variables.

omit_obvious_local_variable_types (Unreleased)

Omit obvious type annotations for local variables.

one_member_abstracts
Avoid defining a one-member abstract class when a simple function will do.

only_throw_errors
Only throw instances of classes extending either Exception or Error.

overridden_fields

Don't override fields.

package_api_docs (Deprecated)
Provide doc comments for all public APIs.

package_names

Use lowercase_with_underscores for package names.

package_prefixed_library_names
Prefix library names with the package name and a dot-separated path.

parameter_assignments
Don't reassign references to parameters of functions or methods.

prefer_adjacent_string_concatenation

Use adjacent strings to concatenate string literals.

prefer_asserts_in_initializer_lists
Prefer putting asserts in initializer lists.

prefer_asserts_with_message
Prefer asserts with message.

prefer_bool_in_asserts (Removed)
Prefer using a boolean as the assert condition.

prefer_collection_literals

Use collection literals when possible.

prefer_conditional_assignment

Prefer using ??= over testing for null.

prefer_const_constructors

Prefer const with constant constructors.

prefer_const_constructors_in_immutables

Prefer declaring const constructors on @immutable classes.

prefer_const_declarations

Prefer const over final for declarations.

prefer_const_literals_to_create_immutables

Prefer const literals as parameters of constructors on @immutable classes.

prefer_constructors_over_static_methods
Prefer defining constructors instead of static methods to create instances.

prefer_contains

Use contains for List and String instances.

prefer_double_quotes

Prefer double quotes where they won't require escape sequences.

prefer_equal_for_default_values (Removed)
Use = to separate a named parameter from its default value.

prefer_expression_function_bodies

Use => for short members whose body is a single return statement.

prefer_final_fields

Private field could be final.

prefer_final_in_for_each

Prefer final in for-each loop variable if reference is not reassigned.

prefer_final_locals

Prefer final for variable declarations if they are not reassigned.

prefer_final_parameters

Prefer final for parameter declarations if they are not reassigned.

prefer_for_elements_to_map_fromIterable

Prefer for elements when building maps from iterables.

prefer_foreach
Use forEach to only apply a function to all the elements.

prefer_function_declarations_over_variables

Use a function declaration to bind a function to a name.

prefer_generic_function_type_aliases

Prefer generic function type aliases.

prefer_if_elements_to_conditional_expressions

Prefer if elements to conditional expressions where possible.

prefer_if_null_operators

Prefer using ?? operators.

prefer_initializing_formals

Use initializing formals when possible.

prefer_inlined_adds

Inline list item declarations where possible.

prefer_int_literals

Prefer int literals over double literals.

prefer_interpolation_to_compose_strings

Use interpolation to compose strings and values.

prefer_is_empty

Use isEmpty for Iterables and Maps.

prefer_is_not_empty

Use isNotEmpty for Iterables and Maps.

prefer_is_not_operator

Prefer is! operator.

prefer_iterable_whereType

Prefer to use whereType on iterable.

prefer_mixin
Prefer using mixins.

prefer_null_aware_method_calls
Prefer null-aware method calls.

prefer_null_aware_operators

Prefer using null-aware operators.

prefer_relative_imports

Prefer relative imports for files in lib/.

prefer_single_quotes

Only use double quotes for strings containing single quotes.

prefer_spread_collections

Use spread collections when possible.

prefer_typing_uninitialized_variables

Prefer typing uninitialized variables and fields.

prefer_void_to_null

Don't use the Null type, unless you are positive that you don't want void.

provide_deprecation_message

Provide a deprecation message, via @Deprecated("message").

public_member_api_docs
Document all public members.

recursive_getters

Property getter recursively returns itself.

require_trailing_commas

Use trailing commas for all parameter lists and argument lists.

secure_pubspec_urls

Use secure urls in pubspec.yaml.

sized_box_for_whitespace

SizedBox for whitespace.

sized_box_shrink_expand
Use SizedBox shrink and expand named constructors.

slash_for_doc_comments

Prefer using /// for doc comments.

sort_child_properties_last

Sort child properties last in widget instance creations.

sort_constructors_first

Sort constructor declarations before other members.

sort_pub_dependencies
Sort pub dependencies alphabetically.

sort_unnamed_constructors_first

Sort unnamed constructor declarations first.

specify_nonobvious_local_variable_types (Unreleased)

Specify non-obvious type annotations for local variables.

super_goes_last (Removed)
Place the super call last in a constructor initialization list.

test_types_in_equals
Test type of argument in operator ==(Object other).

throw_in_finally
Avoid throw in finally block.

tighten_type_of_initializing_formals
Tighten type of initializing formal.

type_annotate_public_apis

Type annotate public APIs.

type_init_formals

Don't type annotate initializing formals.

type_literal_in_constant_pattern

Don't use constant patterns with type literals.

unawaited_futures

Future results in async function bodies must be awaited or marked unawaited using dart:async.

unintended_html_in_doc_comment

Use of angle brackets in a doc comment is treated as HTML by Markdown.

unnecessary_await_in_return

Unnecessary await keyword in return.

unnecessary_brace_in_string_interps

Avoid using braces in interpolation when not needed.

unnecessary_breaks

Don't use explicit breaks when a break is implied.

unnecessary_const

Avoid const keyword.

unnecessary_constructor_name

Unnecessary .new constructor name.

unnecessary_final

Don't use final for local variables.

unnecessary_getters_setters

Avoid wrapping fields in getters and setters just to be "safe".

unnecessary_lambdas

Don't create a lambda when a tear-off will do.

unnecessary_late

Don't specify the late modifier when it is not needed.

unnecessary_library_directive

Avoid library directives unless they have documentation comments or annotations.

unnecessary_library_name

Don't have a library name in a library declaration.

unnecessary_new

Unnecessary new keyword.

unnecessary_null_aware_assignments

Avoid null in null-aware assignment.

unnecessary_null_aware_operator_on_extension_on_nullable
Unnecessary null aware operator on extension on a nullable type.

unnecessary_null_checks (Experimental)

Unnecessary null checks.

unnecessary_null_in_if_null_operators

Avoid using null in ?? operators.

unnecessary_nullable_for_final_variable_declarations

Use a non-nullable type for a final variable initialized with a non-nullable value.

unnecessary_overrides

Don't override a method to do a super method invocation with the same parameters.

unnecessary_parenthesis

Unnecessary parentheses can be removed.

unnecessary_raw_strings

Unnecessary raw string.

unnecessary_statements
Avoid using unnecessary statements.

unnecessary_string_escapes

Remove unnecessary backslashes in strings.

unnecessary_string_interpolations

Unnecessary string interpolation.

unnecessary_this

Don't access members with this unless avoiding shadowing.

unnecessary_to_list_in_spreads

Unnecessary toList() in spreads.

unreachable_from_main

Unreachable top-level members in executable libraries.

unrelated_type_equality_checks

Equality operator == invocation with references of unrelated types.

unsafe_html
Avoid unsafe HTML APIs.

use_build_context_synchronously

Do not use BuildContext across asynchronous gaps.

use_colored_box

Use ColoredBox.

use_decorated_box

Use DecoratedBox.

use_enums

Use enums rather than classes that behave like enums.

use_full_hex_values_for_flutter_colors

Prefer an 8-digit hexadecimal integer (for example, 0xFFFFFFFF) to instantiate a Color.

use_function_type_syntax_for_parameters

Use generic function type syntax for parameters.

use_if_null_to_convert_nulls_to_bools
Use ?? operators to convert nulls to bools.

use_is_even_rather_than_modulo
Prefer intValue.isOdd/isEven instead of checking the result of % 2.

use_key_in_widget_constructors

Use key in widget constructors.

use_late_for_private_fields_and_variables (Experimental)
Use late for private members with a non-nullable type.

use_named_constants

Use predefined named constants.

use_raw_strings

Use raw string to avoid escapes.

use_rethrow_when_possible

Use rethrow to rethrow a caught exception.

use_setters_to_change_properties
Use a setter for operations that conceptually change a property.

use_string_buffers
Use string buffers to compose strings.

use_string_in_part_of_directives

Use string in part of directives.

use_super_parameters (Experimental)

Use super-initializer parameters where possible.

use_test_throws_matchers
Use throwsA matcher instead of fail().

use_to_and_as_if_applicable
Start the name of the method with to/_to or as/_as if applicable.

use_truncating_division (Unreleased)

Use truncating division.

valid_regexps

Use valid regular expression syntax.

void_checks

Don't assign to void.

Unless stated otherwise, the documentation on this site reflects Dart 3.5.3. Page last updated on 2024-08-07. View source or report an issue.