How is this different from `crudini` or the `ini` npm package?

`crudini` is a Python CLI you must install and remember flags for; the `ini` npm package is a library you import into a Node project. Both work, but neither is one-paste-and-done. This tool is a single browser page — paste, click Format, copy. The parser is written from scratch in this file (no npm `ini` dependency), so there is no version drift between what your editor sees and what your runtime sees, and the bundle stays under 18 KB.

What is the difference between `;` and `#` comments?

Functionally none in this tool — both are treated as full-line or trailing comments and preserved exactly as written. Historically `;` was the original INI comment marker (Windows `.ini`, MySQL `my.cnf`); `#` came in via Unix-style config files (`.conf`, systemd units, Python `configparser`). Mixed files are common — we preserve whichever character you used so a downstream parser that only understands one style still works.

Does it handle Git config (which is INI-like but uses subsections)?

Partially. Git uses `[section "subsection"]` syntax — we parse this as a single section header named literally `section "subsection"` and preserve it on round-trip, so Format and Minify will not break a `.gitconfig`. We do not, however, understand subsection semantics for sorting (subsections sort by full header string, not by parent then child). For complex `.gitconfig` work, `git config --file=...` is still the safe tool.

Will comments stay in their original position?

Yes. Full-line comments (`; ...` or `# ...`) before a `[section]` header attach to that section and are emitted immediately above it. Comments between keys stay between those keys in source order. Trailing comments on the same line as a key (e.g. `port = 5432 ; default`) are preserved on the same line — and when "Align equals" is on, the `;` / `#` is pushed out past the aligned value so the comment column stays readable.

Why use INI instead of TOML or YAML for new config?

For brand-new config in a project you control, TOML or YAML are usually better — both have richer types and a single canonical spec. INI's value is that it is everywhere already: systemd units, PHP `php.ini`, Python `setup.cfg`, MySQL `my.cnf`, Windows `.ini`, dozens of game engines, and most CI runners accept INI-style overrides. This tool exists for the moment you inherit one of those files and need it readable, not to convince you to write new INI from scratch.

Make an inherited 200-line php.ini reviewable before a PR

You took over a legacy PHP service and the `php.ini` has 200 lines with keys randomly indented and comments scattered. Paste it, turn on Align equals, and every `memory_limit = 256M` lines up so a reviewer can scan the column in seconds. Format does not reorder keys, so the diff stays small and the change reads as pure whitespace, not logic.

Catch a duplicate key in my.cnf before MySQL silently wins one

MySQL's `my.cnf` lets a duplicate `max_connections` slip through and the last one wins, which burned you at 2am. Run the validator: it flags the second `max_connections` inside `[mysqld]` with the exact line number, e.g. line 47, so you delete the stale one instead of guessing which value the server actually loaded.

Normalize 12 systemd unit files for a clean git history

A repo has 12 `.service` units written by different people, some with `ExecStart=/usr/bin/app`, some with spaces around `=`. INI allows both, but the mixed style makes blame noisy. Paste each one, Format with a consistent spacing rule, and commit once so future diffs show real config changes rather than someone's editor reformatting.

Strip comments from a .conf before baking it into a Docker layer

Your image ships a 4 KB `app.conf` whose 60% is explanatory comments and blank lines you do not need at runtime. Switch to Minify: every `;` and `#` line and blank line is dropped, leaving only the live `key = value` pairs. The file drops to ~1.5 KB, the layer shrinks, and the source-of-truth commented version stays in your repo.

INI Formatter & Validator — Align, Sort, Lint Config Files

Format and validate INI / TOML-like config — sort sections, align equal signs.

Runs locally
Category Format Converter
Best for Turning pasted content or local files into a handoff-friendly format.

Align =Sort sections

Input

Output

Formatted output appears here.

What this tool does

A no-dependency INI / config-file formatter that runs entirely in your browser. Paste any `.ini`, `.cfg`, `.conf`, `.properties`, or systemd-unit-style file and get clean, deterministic output. Optional "Align equals" lines up the `=` column inside each section so keys read like a table; optional "Sort sections" reorders section headers alphabetically while keeping the implicit root section first. Both `;` and `#` line comments are preserved in place — above the section they belong to, or trailing on the same line as a key. Multi-line values terminated with `\` are joined and re-emitted. The validator reports unclosed `[section]` headers and duplicate keys within the same section with the exact line number. A Minify mode strips every comment and blank line for transport. 100% client-side — database connection strings, API tokens, and CI secrets never leave the tab.

Tool details

Input: Text; The page exposes text boxes, numeric controls, file pickers, or structured inputs depending on the tool.
Output: Live result + Copy + Download; The result area focuses on usable output, with copy, download, or preview actions when supported.
Privacy: Browser-side processing; The main tool logic does not call an external API, so inputs normally stay in the current tab.
Save / share: No account required; Open the page and use it; whether results survive refresh depends on the tool.
Performance budget: Initial JS <= 18 KB; No WASM budget is declared, keeping the tool quick to open on mobile.
Best fit: Format Converter · Developer; Category and role tags drive related tools, internal links, and quick fit checks.

How to use

1. Input

Paste or drop your content into the tool panel.
2. Process

Click the button. All processing is local in your browser.
3. Copy / Download

Copy the result or download to disk in one click.

How INI Formatter & Validator fits into your work

Use it when the main problem is getting content from one practical format into another.

Conversion jobs

Turning pasted content or local files into a handoff-friendly format.
Previewing a conversion before you use it in a larger workflow.
Cleaning small format mismatches without opening a full editor.

Conversion checks

Try a small sample first when the source format is messy.
Check character encoding, separators, and line endings after conversion.
Keep the source until the converted output has been reviewed.

Good next steps

These links move the current task into a more complete workflow.

Real-world use cases

Make an inherited 200-line php.ini reviewable before a PR
You took over a legacy PHP service and the `php.ini` has 200 lines with keys randomly indented and comments scattered. Paste it, turn on Align equals, and every `memory_limit = 256M` lines up so a reviewer can scan the column in seconds. Format does not reorder keys, so the diff stays small and the change reads as pure whitespace, not logic.
Catch a duplicate key in my.cnf before MySQL silently wins one
MySQL's `my.cnf` lets a duplicate `max_connections` slip through and the last one wins, which burned you at 2am. Run the validator: it flags the second `max_connections` inside `[mysqld]` with the exact line number, e.g. line 47, so you delete the stale one instead of guessing which value the server actually loaded.
Normalize 12 systemd unit files for a clean git history
A repo has 12 `.service` units written by different people, some with `ExecStart=/usr/bin/app`, some with spaces around `=`. INI allows both, but the mixed style makes blame noisy. Paste each one, Format with a consistent spacing rule, and commit once so future diffs show real config changes rather than someone's editor reformatting.
Strip comments from a .conf before baking it into a Docker layer
Your image ships a 4 KB `app.conf` whose 60% is explanatory comments and blank lines you do not need at runtime. Switch to Minify: every `;` and `#` line and blank line is dropped, leaving only the live `key = value` pairs. The file drops to ~1.5 KB, the layer shrinks, and the source-of-truth commented version stays in your repo.

Common pitfalls

Pasting a TOML file expecting type-aware formatting. This tool treats `port = 5432` as a raw string pair, not an integer; arrays and `[table.sub]` nesting are not understood. Use a TOML formatter for real TOML.
Turning on Sort sections for a `.gitconfig` and assuming subsections nest correctly. They sort by the full literal header string, so `[remote "origin"]` may land away from `[remote "fork"]`. Keep Sort off for Git config.
Expecting Align equals to fix a duplicate key. Alignment is cosmetic; it lines up `=` but never merges or warns about two `timeout` keys. Run the validator separately to catch duplicates by line number.

Privacy

Everything runs in your browser tab. The INI text you paste is parsed, formatted, and re-emitted entirely in client-side JavaScript with no network call, so database connection strings, API tokens, and CI secrets in your config never reach a server. This tool does not write your input to the URL, so a shared link carries the tool but not your secrets; copy the formatted output manually to share a result.

FAQ

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INI Formatter & Validator — Align, Sort, Lint Config Files

What this tool does

Tool details

How to use

1. Input

2. Process

3. Copy / Download

How INI Formatter & Validator fits into your work

Conversion jobs

Conversion checks

Good next steps

Real-world use cases

Make an inherited 200-line php.ini reviewable before a PR

Catch a duplicate key in my.cnf before MySQL silently wins one

Normalize 12 systemd unit files for a clean git history

Strip comments from a .conf before baking it into a Docker layer

Common pitfalls

Privacy

FAQ

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