Zed uses a native Ultracite setup with `.zed/settings.json` for editor behavior and an appendable `.rules` file for repo guidance, making it a strong fit for teams that want speed without config drift.
Ultracite uses these Zed settings, rules, and hooks files to keep editor behavior and AI output aligned with your repo standards.
This native settings file keeps Zed's formatter, code actions, and language tooling aligned with Ultracite.
.zed/settings.json
{ "format_on_save": "on", "formatter": "language_server", "lsp": { "typescript-language-server": { "settings": { "typescript": { "preferences": { "includePackageJsonAutoImports": "on" } } } } }, "languages": { "JavaScript": { "code_actions_on_format": { "source.fixAll.biome": true, "source.organizeImports.biome": true }, "formatter": { "language_server": { "name": "biome" } } }, "TSX": { "code_actions_on_format": { "source.fixAll.biome": true, "source.organizeImports.biome": true }, "formatter": { "language_server": { "name": "biome" } } }, "TypeScript": { "code_actions_on_format": { "source.fixAll.biome": true, "source.organizeImports.biome": true }, "formatter": { "language_server": { "name": "biome" } } } }}Append Ultracite's guidance into `.rules` so Zed keeps any existing project instructions and gains consistent repo standards.
.rules
# Ultracite Code StandardsThis project uses **Ultracite**, a zero-config preset that enforces strict code quality standards through automated formatting and linting.## Quick Reference- **Format code**: `npx ultracite fix`- **Check for issues**: `npx ultracite check`- **Diagnose setup**: `npx ultracite doctor`your configured linter (the underlying engine) provides robust linting and formatting. Most issues are automatically fixable.---## Core PrinciplesWrite code that is **accessible, performant, type-safe, and maintainable**. Focus on clarity and explicit intent over brevity.### Type Safety & Explicitness- Use explicit types for function parameters and return values when they enhance clarity- Prefer `unknown` over `any` when the type is genuinely unknown- Use const assertions (`as const`) for immutable values and literal types- Leverage TypeScript's type narrowing instead of type assertions- Use meaningful variable names instead of magic numbers - extract constants with descriptive names### Modern JavaScript/TypeScript- Use arrow functions for callbacks and short functions- Prefer `for...of` loops over `.forEach()` and indexed `for` loops- Use optional chaining (`?.`) and nullish coalescing (`??`) for safer property access- Prefer template literals over string concatenation- Use destructuring for object and array assignments- Use `const` by default, `let` only when reassignment is needed, never `var`### Async & Promises- Always `await` promises in async functions - don't forget to use the return value- Use `async/await` syntax instead of promise chains for better readability- Handle errors appropriately in async code with try-catch blocks- Don't use async functions as Promise executors### React & JSX- Use function components over class components- Call hooks at the top level only, never conditionally- Specify all dependencies in hook dependency arrays correctly- Use the `key` prop for elements in iterables (prefer unique IDs over array indices)- Nest children between opening and closing tags instead of passing as props- Don't define components inside other components- Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes for accessibility: - Provide meaningful alt text for images - Use proper heading hierarchy - Add labels for form inputs - Include keyboard event handlers alongside mouse events - Use semantic elements (`<button>`, `<nav>`, etc.) instead of divs with roles### Error Handling & Debugging- Remove `console.log`, `debugger`, and `alert` statements from production code- Throw `Error` objects with descriptive messages, not strings or other values- Use `try-catch` blocks meaningfully - don't catch errors just to rethrow them- Prefer early returns over nested conditionals for error cases### Code Organization- Keep functions focused and under reasonable cognitive complexity limits- Extract complex conditions into well-named boolean variables- Use early returns to reduce nesting- Prefer simple conditionals over nested ternary operators- Group related code together and separate concerns### Security- Add `rel="noopener"` when using `target="_blank"` on links- Avoid `dangerouslySetInnerHTML` unless absolutely necessary- Don't use `eval()` or assign directly to `document.cookie`- Validate and sanitize user input### Performance- Avoid spread syntax in accumulators within loops- Use top-level regex literals instead of creating them in loops- Prefer specific imports over namespace imports- Avoid barrel files (index files that re-export everything)- Use proper image components (e.g., Next.js `<Image>`) over `<img>` tags### Framework-Specific Guidance**Next.js:**- Use Next.js `<Image>` component for images- Use `next/head` or App Router metadata API for head elements- Use Server Components for async data fetching instead of async Client Components**React 19+:**- Use ref as a prop instead of `React.forwardRef`**Solid/Svelte/Vue/Qwik:**- Use `class` and `for` attributes (not `className` or `htmlFor`)---## Testing- Write assertions inside `it()` or `test()` blocks- Avoid done callbacks in async tests - use async/await instead- Don't use `.only` or `.skip` in committed code- Keep test suites reasonably flat - avoid excessive `describe` nesting## When your configured linter Can't Helpyour configured linter's linter will catch most issues automatically. Focus your attention on:1. **Business logic correctness** - your configured linter can't validate your algorithms2. **Meaningful naming** - Use descriptive names for functions, variables, and types3. **Architecture decisions** - Component structure, data flow, and API design4. **Edge cases** - Handle boundary conditions and error states5. **User experience** - Accessibility, performance, and usability considerations6. **Documentation** - Add comments for complex logic, but prefer self-documenting code---Most formatting and common issues are automatically fixed by your configured linter. Run `npx ultracite fix` before committing to ensure compliance.A high-performance, multiplayer code editor built in Rust with built-in AI assistance.
Zed uses its own native settings file, so Ultracite can tailor the setup to Zed instead of pretending every editor is a VS Code clone.
Ultracite's `.rules` file works well with Zed's append-mode workflow, letting you keep existing instructions and add standards incrementally.
The setup supports fast local editing, multiplayer sessions, and AI assistance without forcing a separate VS Code compatibility layer.
Keep Ultracite present in the day-to-day Zed workflow with a few editor-specific habits, not just a one-time setup.
Generate .zed/settings.json so Zed handles formatting, code actions, and TypeScript behavior the way Ultracite expects.
Append Ultracite guidance into .rules so Zed keeps any existing repo instructions and gains a shared coding standard layer.
Use the native Zed files as the source of truth instead of trying to mirror a VS Code setup in a different editor model.
Editor-specific answers for teams rolling out Ultracite in Zed.
These nearby setups make it easier to compare how Ultracite handles shared settings, AI rules, and editor-specific workflow details.
Kiro pairs well with Ultracite when you combine shared VS Code workspace settings with a dedicated steering file that guides spec-driven AI work before code is generated.
Trae works well with Ultracite when you keep the standard VS Code workspace settings in place and add a dedicated project rules file that teaches the AI how your repo expects code to look.
Antigravity can plug into the same Ultracite-managed Visual Studio Code settings file, making it easy to evaluate Google's AI IDE without inventing a second configuration story for your team.
And used by thousands of open source projects.
Here's what some of the most innovative and forward-thinking developers in the React ecosystem have to say about Ultracite.