clang-tidy

Spec sheet

Purpose

clang-tidy is a Clang-based C++ linter for diagnosing and fixing typical programming errors, including style violations, interface misuse, and bugs detectable by static analysis.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

License

The LLVM project states that its code is licensed under the Apache 2.0 License with LLVM exceptions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · llvm.org

Maker

LLVM describes itself as a collection of modular and reusable compiler and toolchain technologies, and identifies clang-tidy as an LLVM project tool.Read 11 Oct 2026 · llvm.org

Automatic fixes

The -fix option applies suggested fixes when supported by the corresponding checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Build integration

clang-tidy can use a compile command database, which CMake can generate with CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS=ON.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Build options

If built with `CLANG_TIDY_ENABLE_STATIC_ANALYZER=NO`, clang-tidy does not include support for `clang-analyzer-*` or `mpi-*` checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Changed-line analysis

`clang-tidy-diff.py` filters reported diagnostics to changed lines, but still analyzes the entire file and does not improve analysis performance.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Check categories

Its check groups include bug-prone code, CERT guidelines, C++ Core Guidelines, performance, portability, and readability checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Check selection

Checks can be selected with the `-checks=` option, which accepts comma-separated positive and negative globs.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Checks

It provides its own checks and can also run Clang Static Analyzer checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

clangd support

The Clang team recommends clangd, which integrates clang-tidy and is available in major editors through plugins including Vim, Emacs, Visual Studio Code, and Sublime Text.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Configuration

Checks can be selected with comma-separated positive and negative globs, and configuration can be read from a .clang-tidy file.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

CUDA support

clang-tidy supports CUDA source analysis, with the CUDA toolkit path specified using --cuda-path for correct header resolution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Custom checks

The tool provides an interface for writing custom checks, which can use preprocessor callbacks or AST matchers and attach fix-it hints to diagnostics.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Diff workflow

clang-tidy-diff.py filters diagnostics to changed lines, but still analyzes the entire file and may miss issues reported outside those lines.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Extensible checks

The tool is modular and provides a framework for writing new checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

IDE integrations

The documentation lists integrations including clangd, CLion, KDevelop, Qt Creator, Visual Studio tools, Vim plugins, and Emacs Flycheck.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

IDE/editor integrations

The documentation links to a Clang-tidy IDE/Editor Integrations page.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Parallel analysis

The included `run-clang-tidy.py` script runs analysis over files in a compilation database concurrently.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Parallel runs

The included run-clang-tidy.py script runs analysis concurrently across files in a compilation database or specified path.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Project setup

clang-tidy is based on LibTooling and works with a compilation database such as `compile_commands.json`; compiler options can also be supplied on the command line.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Security checks

The documented check groups include CERT secure coding checks and Clang Static Analyzer checks, among other categories.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Static analysis

clang-tidy includes its own checks and can also run Clang Static Analyzer checks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · clang.llvm.org

Plans and prices

Every clang-tidy plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Linters#4 of 338.5