Laravel Pint - Detailed Review

Developer Tools

Laravel Pint - Detailed Review Contents

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Laravel Pint - Product Overview

Introduction to Laravel Pint

Laravel Pint is a valuable tool in the Developer Tools category, particularly for PHP developers working within the Laravel ecosystem.

Primary Function

Laravel Pint is an opinionated PHP code style fixer that helps maintain clean, consistent, and organized code. It is built on top of PHP-CS-Fixer, allowing it to enforce various coding standards with ease.

Target Audience

The primary target audience for Laravel Pint includes PHP developers, especially those working on Laravel projects. It is beneficial for both individual developers and teams looking to maintain uniform code styles across their projects.

Key Features

Automatic Code Formatting

Laravel Pint automatically formats PHP code according to predefined coding standards, such as the Laravel, PSR-12, and Symfony presets. This ensures that the codebase remains consistent and readable.

Presets and Rules

Pint comes with several presets (e.g., `laravel`, `psr12`, `symfony`) that define sets of rules for code style. You can customize these presets by creating a `pint.json` file in your project’s root directory to enable or disable specific rules.

Integration with IDEs and CI

Pint can be integrated with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code and PhpStorm through file watchers, ensuring that your code is formatted correctly as you work. It also supports integration with Continuous Integration (CI) environments, such as GitHub Actions, to automate code formatting checks and fixes.

Customization and Exclusions

You can exclude specific files or folders from Pint’s inspection using the `exclude`, `notName`, and `notPath` options in the `pint.json` configuration file. This flexibility allows you to tailor Pint to your project’s specific needs.

Command-Line Interface

Pint provides a simple command-line interface to run and configure. You can use commands like `./vendor/bin/pint` to fix code style issues, `–test` to inspect without changing files, and `–diff` to check files changed according to a specific Git branch.

By using Laravel Pint, developers can ensure their code is consistently formatted, reducing the time spent on manual formatting and enhancing the overall readability and maintainability of their projects.

Laravel Pint - User Interface and Experience

Laravel Pint Overview

Laravel Pint, a tool within the Laravel ecosystem, is designed to be user-friendly and efficient in maintaining consistent code style and formatting. Here’s a breakdown of its user interface, ease of use, and overall user experience:

User Interface

Laravel Pint does not have a graphical user interface; it is a command-line tool. The interaction is primarily through terminal commands, making it straightforward for developers familiar with CLI tools. The commands are simple and intuitive, such as ./vendor/bin/pint to run Pint and fix code style issues, or ./vendor/bin/pint --test to inspect code without making changes.

Ease of Use

Pint is remarkably easy to use, especially for developers already working within the Laravel framework. Here are some key points:

Zero-Configuration: By default, Pint does not require any configuration. It comes pre-configured to follow the opinionated coding style of Laravel, making it ready to use out of the box.
Simple Commands: The commands to run Pint are straightforward. For example, you can run ./vendor/bin/pint to fix all code style issues, or specify files or directories like ./vendor/bin/pint app/Models.
Customization: If needed, you can customize Pint by creating a pint.json file in your project’s root directory. This file allows you to specify different presets (like psr12, symfony, etc.) and rules.

Overall User Experience

The user experience with Laravel Pint is generally positive due to its simplicity and effectiveness:

Consistency: Pint ensures that your code style is uniform across the team, eliminating personal preferences and formatting debates during code reviews.
Readability: By automatically handling indentation, spacing, and other small details, Pint makes your codebase more readable and maintainable.
Automation: You can integrate Pint into your development workflow using Git hooks or Docker, automating the code formatting process and saving time.
Feedback: Pint provides clear feedback on the changes it makes, and you can use options like -v for more detailed output or --test to check for errors without modifying files.

Conclusion

Overall, Laravel Pint is a streamlined tool that integrates seamlessly into the development process, ensuring clean, consistent, and readable code with minimal effort from the developer.

Laravel Pint - Key Features and Functionality

Laravel Pint Overview

Laravel Pint is a powerful tool within the Laravel ecosystem that helps maintain clean, consistent, and well-formatted PHP code. Here are the main features and functionalities of Laravel Pint:

Installation and Availability

Laravel Pint is included in recent releases of the Laravel framework, so installation is often unnecessary for new projects. However, for older applications, you can install it via Composer:

composer require laravel/pint --dev

This command adds Pint to your project’s `vendor/bin` directory.

Running Pint

You can run Pint to fix code style issues using the `pint` binary. Here are a few ways to use it:

Run Pint on the entire project:

./vendor/bin/pint

This command will fix code style issues across all PHP files in your project, excluding those in the `vendor` directory.

Run Pint on specific files or directories:

./vendor/bin/pint app/Models
./vendor/bin/pint app/Models/User.php

This allows you to target specific parts of your codebase.

Detailed Output:

Using the `-v` option provides more detailed information about the changes made by Pint:

./vendor/bin/pint -v

This is useful for seeing exactly what changes were made.

Test Mode:

The `–test` option allows Pint to inspect your code for style errors without making any changes. It returns a non-zero exit code if any errors are found:

./vendor/bin/pint --test

This is handy for CI environments or pre-commit checks.

Diff and Dirty Options:

You can use `–diff=` to only inspect files that differ from a specified Git branch, or `–dirty` to only inspect files with uncommitted changes:

./vendor/bin/pint --diff=main
./vendor/bin/pint --dirty

These options are particularly useful in CI/CD pipelines to optimize the process.

Configuration

While Pint does not require configuration by default, you can customize it if needed:

Presets:

Pint uses the `laravel` preset by default, but you can change this to other presets like `psr12`, `symfony`, or `per` using the `–preset` option or by setting it in a `pint.json` file:

{
  "preset": "psr12"
}

This allows you to adhere to different coding standards.

Rules:

You can enable or disable specific rules within a preset. For example, you can turn off the `braces` rule in the `psr12` preset:

{
  "preset": "psr12",
  "rules": {
    "braces": false
  }
}

This flexibility allows you to fine-tune the coding style to your team’s preferences.

Excluding Files/Folders:

You can exclude specific files or folders from Pint’s inspection using the `exclude`, `notName`, and `notPath` options in the `pint.json` file:

{
  "exclude": [],
  "notName": [],
  "notPath": []
}

This helps in ignoring files that do not need to be formatted according to the chosen preset.

Automation and Integration

Pint can be integrated into various workflows to automate code formatting:

Git Hooks:

You can set up pre-commit Git hooks using tools like Husky to ensure that Pint runs automatically before each commit, ensuring all committed code is properly formatted.

Continuous Integration (CI):

Pint can be part of your CI pipeline, especially when using GitHub Actions. This ensures that code style checks are performed automatically whenever new code is pushed to the repository.

Benefits

The key benefits of using Laravel Pint include:

Consistency:

Ensures uniform code style across the team, eliminating personal preferences and formatting debates.

Readability:

Automatically handles indentation, spacing, and other small details, making the codebase more readable and maintainable.

Automation:

Reduces human errors and accelerates development workflows by enforcing consistent style automatically. While Pint itself does not integrate AI, it leverages the established rules and standards from PHP-CS-Fixer to ensure consistent and clean code formatting, which is a crucial aspect of maintaining high-quality codebases.

Laravel Pint - Performance and Accuracy

Performance of Laravel Pint

Laravel Pint is a highly effective tool for maintaining code quality and consistency in Laravel projects. Here are some key points regarding its performance:

Automation and Efficiency

Pint automates the process of code formatting, adhering to the PHP-CS-Fixer standards and the PSR 12 coding standard. This automation saves developers a significant amount of time that would otherwise be spent on manual formatting, making the development workflow more efficient.

Consistency

Pint ensures uniform code styling across the entire team, eliminating personal preferences and formatting debates during code reviews. This consistency enhances the readability and maintainability of the codebase.

Ease of Use

Pint is often described as a “zero-config” tool, meaning it works out of the box with minimal setup required. This ease of use makes it accessible even for developers who are new to automated code formatting tools.

Accuracy

In terms of accuracy, Laravel Pint is quite reliable:

Comprehensive Checks

Pint performs a wide range of checks to ensure that the code adheres to best practices and coding standards. It can identify and fix issues such as unused imports, incorrect indentation, and inconsistent spacing.

Customization

While Pint comes with a default configuration, it also allows for customization. Developers can adjust the rules to fit their project’s specific needs, ensuring that the tool does not enforce changes that are not desired.

Integration with IDEs and CI/CD

Pint can be integrated with IDEs like VS Code and PhpStorm, as well as with CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions. This integration ensures that code formatting is consistent across different environments and development setups.

Limitations and Areas for Improvement

While Laravel Pint is a powerful tool, there are some limitations and areas where it could be improved:

PHP Version Support

Currently, Pint is only supported for PHP 8 projects, which might be a limitation for developers still using older versions of PHP.

Loss of Control

When using the “zero-config” approach, developers may feel they are giving up control over their coding standards. This can lead to situations where code that developers prefer needs to be changed to satisfy the tool’s rules. However, rules can be customized to mitigate this issue.

Output Readability

The output from Pint, especially in test mode, can be complex and not easy to read. It is recommended to review the changes carefully before committing them.

Conclusion

Laravel Pint is a valuable addition to any Laravel developer’s toolkit, offering significant improvements in code quality, consistency, and readability. While it has some limitations, such as the need for PHP 8 and potential loss of control over coding standards, these can be managed through customization and careful review of the changes it suggests. Overall, Pint’s performance and accuracy make it a reliable choice for automating code formatting and maintaining high code quality standards.

Laravel Pint - Pricing and Plans

Laravel Pint Overview

Laravel Pint is a PHP code style fixer that is part of the Laravel framework. It is an open-source tool, meaning it does not have a pricing structure or different tiers.

Key Points

Free to Use

Laravel Pint is included in new Laravel applications starting from Laravel 9 and can be installed in older applications via Composer without any cost.

No Tiers or Plans

There are no different pricing tiers or plans for Laravel Pint. It is a free tool available for use in any PHP project, including those not using the Laravel framework.

Default Configuration

Pint comes with a default configuration that follows the opinionated coding style of Laravel. Users can customize this configuration using a pint.json file if needed.

Features

Pint offers features such as fixing code style issues, inspecting code for errors without making changes, and integrating with Continuous Integration (CI) environments like GitHub Actions. These features are available without any additional cost.

Conclusion

In summary, Laravel Pint is a free, open-source tool with no pricing structure or different tiers, making it accessible to all developers using PHP.

Laravel Pint - Integration and Compatibility

Laravel Pint Overview

Laravel Pint is a tool for automatically formatting PHP code according to specific coding standards. It integrates seamlessly with various development tools and environments, ensuring consistency and ease of use across different platforms.

Integration with Git Hooks

Laravel Pint can be integrated with Git hooks to automate the code formatting process. For example, you can set up a pre-commit hook using Husky to run Pint before each commit, ensuring that all code is formatted consistently before it is committed to the repository.

Integration with Docker

To maintain consistency across different development environments, Pint can be run inside a Docker container. This involves setting up a docker-compose.yml file and configuring the Docker container to run Pint. This approach ensures that all team members use the same environment for code formatting, regardless of their local setup.

Continuous Integration (CI)

Pint can be integrated into Continuous Integration pipelines, such as GitHub Actions. By configuring a GitHub Actions workflow, you can automate the process of running Pint on new code pushes, ensuring that code style issues are fixed automatically before the code is merged into the main branch.

Compatibility with PHP Versions

Laravel Pint is compatible with PHP 8 projects. It is automatically included in new Laravel applications starting from Laravel 9, but it can also be installed manually in older Laravel versions using Composer.

Configuration and Customization

Pint allows for customization through a pint.json configuration file. You can specify different presets (such as laravel, psr12, or symfony) and even customize individual rules to fit your project’s coding standards. This flexibility ensures that Pint can be adapted to various coding styles and project requirements.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Since Pint is a command-line tool, it is compatible with macOS, Linux, and Windows environments. This makes it versatile and accessible for developers working on different operating systems.

Conclusion

In summary, Laravel Pint integrates well with Git hooks, Docker, and Continuous Integration tools, ensuring consistent code formatting across different environments and platforms. Its flexibility in configuration and compatibility with various PHP versions and operating systems make it a valuable tool for maintaining high code quality in Laravel applications.

Laravel Pint - Customer Support and Resources

Support Options for Laravel Pint

For developers using Laravel Pint, several support options and additional resources are available to ensure smooth integration and effective use of the tool.

Installation and Configuration

To get started, you can find detailed instructions on how to install Laravel Pint using Composer. You simply need to add the laravel/pint dependency to your composer.json file and run the installation command.

Documentation and Guides

Laravel Pint comes with comprehensive documentation. The official Laravel documentation, as well as articles on Laravel News and Laravel Daily, provide step-by-step guides on how to configure and use Pint. These resources cover topics such as setting up Pint with a preset, using pre-commit hooks, and integrating Pint with GitHub Actions.

Integration with Development Tools

Laravel Pint can be integrated with popular development tools like PhpStorm. You can configure Pint as an external formatter in PhpStorm, allowing you to fix code style issues directly within your IDE. This includes running Pint in batch mode and using quick-fix options to address detected issues.

Automated Code Formatting

For automated code formatting, you can set up pre-commit hooks or use GitHub Actions. Pre-commit hooks ensure that your code is formatted before it is committed to the repository, while GitHub Actions can run Pint automatically on push events, formatting and committing the changes.

Custom Configuration

Laravel Pint allows for custom configuration through a pint.json file. You can specify different presets, such as the default laravel preset or other standards like psr12. This flexibility lets you adapt Pint to your project’s specific coding standards.

Community Support

While specific customer support channels for Laravel Pint are not detailed, the broader Laravel community and forums are valuable resources for troubleshooting and best practices. You can also find help through community-driven articles and tutorials.

Conclusion

In summary, Laravel Pint is well-supported through detailed documentation, integration guides, and community resources, making it easier for developers to maintain consistent code formatting in their projects.

Laravel Pint - Pros and Cons

Advantages of Laravel Pint

Laravel Pint is a valuable tool for maintaining high code quality in Laravel projects, and it offers several key advantages:

Ease of Use and Zero Configuration

Laravel Pint is a zero-configuration tool, meaning you can start using it immediately without any complex setup. It works out of the box, adhering to Laravel’s unique coding standards and PHP-CS-Fixer rules, which saves you from manual adjustments.

Consistent Code Style

Pint ensures a uniform code style across your entire team, reducing misunderstandings and errors caused by different coding styles. This consistency improves team collaboration and makes the codebase more readable and maintainable.

Time Savings

Automated code formatting with Pint reduces the time spent on style-related issues during code reviews. This allows developers to focus more on functionality and less on minor formatting discussions.

Integration with Development Tools

Pint can be easily integrated with other development tools such as Docker and Git hooks. Running Pint in a Docker container ensures a consistent development environment across the team, and using it with Git hooks automates code formatting as part of your CI pipeline.

Automated Code Quality Checks

Pint helps in automating code quality checks, ensuring that your code adheres to modern PHP standards. This automation helps in reducing human errors and accelerates development workflows.

Disadvantages of Laravel Pint

While Laravel Pint offers many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

Limited Control Over Coding Standards

The “zero-config” approach of Pint can sometimes be a double-edged sword. By relying on Pint’s default settings, you may give up control over your coding standards. This can lead to situations where code that you prefer needs to be changed to satisfy Pint’s rules.

Dependency on Bundled Tools

Pint is built with Laravel Zero, which means it includes all its dependencies in a single executable. While this minimizes Composer conflicts, it also means you have to wait for Pint releases to get fixes or new features from the underlying tools like PHP CS Fixer.

Output Clarity

Some users have reported that the output of Pint can be messy, especially when multiple fixers are applied. The list of applied rules may be trimmed, making it difficult to see which specific rules were used.

Compatibility

Laravel Pint is only supported for PHP 8 projects. If you are working on an older version of PHP or an older Laravel version, you might need to upgrade or use different tools. In summary, Laravel Pint is a powerful tool for maintaining code quality in Laravel projects, offering ease of use, consistent code style, and significant time savings. However, it also has some limitations, such as reduced control over coding standards, dependency on bundled tools, and potential issues with output clarity.

Laravel Pint - Comparison with Competitors

Laravel Pint

Laravel Pint is an opinionated PHP code style fixer, built on top of PHP-CS-Fixer, specifically designed for Laravel projects. Here are some of its key features:

Automatic Installation and Usage: Pint is automatically included in new Laravel applications, making it ready to use out of the box without any configuration.
Laravel-Specific Standards: It adheres to Laravel’s coding standards, ensuring a consistent style throughout the codebase.
Flexible Configuration: You can customize the presets, rules, and inspected folders by creating a `pint.json` file in your project’s root directory.
Integration with CI/CD: Pint can be easily integrated into Continuous Integration (CI) environments, such as GitHub Actions, to automate code style checks and fixes.
Specific Options: It offers various options like `–test`, `–diff`, and `–dirty` to inspect and fix code style issues based on different criteria.

Alternatives and Comparisons

PHP-CS-Fixer

While Laravel Pint is built on top of PHP-CS-Fixer, using PHP-CS-Fixer directly provides more flexibility in terms of custom rules and presets. However, it requires more configuration compared to Pint.

PHPStan

PHPStan is not a code style fixer but a static analysis tool that helps in finding errors in PHP code. It can be used alongside Pint to ensure both code style and code quality are maintained. Running both tools in a Docker environment ensures a consistent development setup.

AI-Driven Development Tools

While Laravel Pint focuses on code styling, there are AI-driven tools that assist in broader aspects of coding.

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time code suggestions, autocompletion, and even entire code blocks. It integrates well with popular IDEs and offers features like automated code documentation and test case generation. However, it does not specifically focus on code styling but rather on overall coding efficiency and assistance.

Windsurf IDE

Windsurf IDE, by Codeium, integrates AI capabilities into the development workflow, offering intelligent code suggestions, real-time collaboration, and deep contextual understanding of codebases. Like GitHub Copilot, it is more focused on general coding assistance rather than specific code styling rules.

Key Differences

Focus: Laravel Pint is specifically designed for code styling and adherence to Laravel’s coding standards, whereas tools like GitHub Copilot and Windsurf IDE are more general-purpose AI coding assistants.
Configuration: Pint requires minimal to no configuration, especially for Laravel projects, while other tools may need more setup and customization.
Integration: Pint integrates seamlessly with Laravel and can be easily included in CI/CD pipelines, whereas AI-driven tools like Copilot and Windsurf IDE are more about enhancing the overall coding experience rather than specific integration with frameworks.

In summary, if your primary need is to maintain consistent code styling according to Laravel’s standards with minimal configuration, Laravel Pint is an excellent choice. For broader coding assistance and AI-driven features, tools like GitHub Copilot and Windsurf IDE might be more suitable.

Laravel Pint - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Laravel Pint, along with detailed responses to each:

What is Laravel Pint?

Laravel Pint is an opinionated PHP code style fixer specifically built for Laravel projects. It ensures that your code style stays clean and consistent by following the coding style guidelines of Laravel. Pint is built on top of PHP-CS-Fixer.

How do I install Laravel Pint?

Laravel Pint is automatically included in new Laravel applications, so installation is typically unnecessary. However, for older applications, you can install it via Composer using the command:

composer require laravel/pint --dev

This will make the `pint` binary available in your project’s `vendor/bin` directory.

How do I run Laravel Pint?

To fix code style issues, you can run Pint using the binary in your project’s `vendor/bin` directory:

./vendor/bin/pint

You can also run Pint on specific files or directories:

./vendor/bin/pint app/Models
./vendor/bin/pint app/Models/User.php

For more detailed output, use the `-v` option:

./vendor/bin/pint -v

To inspect code for style errors without changing the files, use the `–test` option:

./vendor/bin/pint --test

Can I configure Laravel Pint?

By default, Pint does not require any configuration and uses the `laravel` preset. However, you can customize the presets, rules, or inspected folders by creating a `pint.json` file in your project’s root directory. For example:

{
    "preset": "laravel",
    "rules": {
        "simplified_null_return": true,
        "array_indentation": false,
        "new_with_parentheses": {
            "anonymous_class": true,
            "named_class": true
        }
    }
}

You can also specify a different preset using the `–preset` option or in the `pint.json` file.

How do I exclude files or folders from Pint?

You can exclude files or folders by using the `exclude`, `notName`, or `notPath` configuration options in your `pint.json` file. For example:

{
    "exclude": [],
    "notName": [],
    "notPath": []
}

This allows you to customize which files or folders Pint inspects.

Can I integrate Laravel Pint with Continuous Integration (CI) tools?

Yes, you can integrate Laravel Pint with CI tools like GitHub Actions. You can configure GitHub Actions to run Pint whenever new code is pushed to GitHub. Here is an example of how you might set this up in a `.github/workflows/lint.yml` file:

name: Fix Code Style
on: 
jobs:
  lint:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    strategy:
      fail-fast: true
      matrix:
        php: []
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Setup PHP
        uses: shivammathur/setup-php@v2
        with:
          php-version: ${{ matrix.php }}
          extensions: json, dom, curl, libxml, mbstring
          coverage: none
      - name: Install Pint
        run: composer global require laravel/pint
      - name: Run Pint
        run: pint
      - name: Commit linted files
        uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5

This setup ensures that Pint runs automatically during your CI workflow.

What presets are available in Laravel Pint?

Laravel Pint supports several presets, including `laravel`, `per`, `psr12`, `symfony`, and `empty`. The `laravel` preset is used by default and adheres to Laravel’s coding standards. You can switch to a different preset using the `–preset` option or by specifying it in your `pint.json` file.

How does Laravel Pint benefit team collaboration?

Laravel Pint helps in standardizing the code style across the entire team, ensuring everyone follows the same coding conventions. This reduces misunderstandings and errors, making code reviews more efficient and focused on functionality rather than style issues.

Can I use Laravel Pint to inspect code without making changes?

Yes, you can use the `–test` option to inspect your code for style errors without actually changing the files. This will return a non-zero exit code if any code style errors are found:

./vendor/bin/pint --test

This is useful for checking code style compliance without modifying the files.

How can I configure Pint to only modify files with uncommitted changes or specific diffs?

You can use the `–dirty` option to modify only the files that have uncommitted changes according to Git:

./vendor/bin/pint --dirty

Alternatively, you can use the `–diff=` option to modify only the files that differ from a specified branch:

./vendor/bin/pint --diff=main

This is particularly useful in CI environments to save time by only inspecting new or modified files.

Laravel Pint - Conclusion and Recommendation

Final Assessment of Laravel Pint

Laravel Pint is a valuable tool in the Developer Tools category, particularly for those working on Laravel projects. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.

Key Benefits

Automated Code Styling: Laravel Pint automatically formats your PHP code according to Laravel’s best practices, ensuring a consistent style throughout your codebase. This saves valuable time that would otherwise be spent on manual formatting and style-related issues during code reviews.
No Configuration Needed: Pint works out of the box with no complex setup required, making it easy to integrate into your development workflow.
Laravel-Specific Standards: Unlike general code formatters, Pint adheres to Laravel’s unique conventions, which helps in maintaining the framework’s coding standards without manual adjustments.
Improved Team Collaboration: By standardizing code style, Pint helps ensure that all team members are on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and errors.

Customization and Flexibility

Presets and Rules: Pint supports various presets such as `laravel`, `psr12`, and `Symfony`. You can also customize the rules in your `pint.json` file to fit your project’s specific needs.
Integration with IDEs: Pint can be integrated with IDEs like VS Code and PhpStorm, allowing for automatic code formatting on save, which ensures each commit is neat and uniform.

Who Would Benefit Most

Laravel Developers: Developers working on Laravel projects will find Pint particularly useful due to its adherence to Laravel’s coding standards and ease of use.
Development Teams: Teams working on Laravel projects can benefit from the consistent code style that Pint enforces, which improves collaboration and reduces errors.
New Projects: For new Laravel projects, especially those starting from Laravel 9 onwards, Pint comes bundled and is ready to use, making it an excellent choice for maintaining code quality from the outset.

Overall Recommendation

Laravel Pint is a highly recommended tool for any developer or team working on Laravel projects. Its ability to automate code styling, adhere to Laravel’s best practices, and offer customization options makes it an invaluable asset. It simplifies the development process, saves time, and enhances team collaboration by ensuring a consistent code style across the project. For those looking to maintain high-quality, consistent code in their Laravel projects, Laravel Pint is an excellent choice.