ConfigGenerator

YAML Formatter

Format YAML online with indentation, syntax cleanup, validation, Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, OpenAPI, and CI/CD support.

Output:A ready-to-use configuration file for YAML Formatter with best practices applied.

What is this tool?

Quick Answer: What is a YAML Formatter?

Use a YAML Formatter when you need to clean YAML indentation, spacing, lists, objects, and configuration files for Kubernetes, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, or OpenAPI. It parses your YAML code, fixes indentation, standardizes spacing, and validates syntax.

YAML Format Example & Indentation Rules

YAML relies entirely on strict indentation to define its structure. It absolutely prohibits tabs. You must use spaces (usually 2 spaces per level).

Bad YAML (Mixed spaces/tabs or wrong alignment):

services:
  web:
   image: nginx:latest
    ports:
    - "80:80"

Formatted YAML:

services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80:80"

Format YAML for CI/CD and Cloud

This formatter supports cleaning up configurations for:

  • Kubernetes (k8s): Format Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, and Secrets.
  • Docker Compose: Fix broken spacing in your docker-compose.yml.
  • GitHub Actions / GitLab CI: Clean up workflow steps and list items.
  • OpenAPI / Swagger: Standardize indentation for massive API definitions.
  • AWS CloudFormation / Ansible: Format infrastructure-as-code manifests.

How to format YAML in VS Code

If your VS Code YAML formatter is not working:

  1. Install the YAML extension by Red Hat from the VS Code Marketplace.
  2. Make sure Prettier isn't conflicting (Prettier formats YAML, but Red Hat is often better for validation).
  3. Press Shift + Alt + F to format the current document.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Paste or Upload: Paste your YAML code into the input editor or upload a .yml / .yaml file.
  2. Format and Validate: The formatter will automatically fix indentation. If there are syntax errors (like duplicate keys or mapping errors), it will highlight the exact line and column.
  3. Copy or Download: Once your YAML is properly formatted and valid, click copy or download the file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a YAML Formatter?
A YAML Formatter is a tool that reads raw YAML text, fixes inconsistent spacing, corrects indentation levels, and outputs clean, standardized YAML code.
How do I format YAML online?
Simply paste your YAML into this editor. The tool will parse it and automatically reformat it with standardized 2-space indentation, while checking for syntax errors.
What is YAML indentation?
YAML uses spaces to define the structure and hierarchy of data. Unlike JSON which uses brackets, YAML relies on exact alignment. Using tabs is forbidden in the YAML spec, and using the wrong number of spaces will break your configuration.
Can I format Kubernetes YAML?
Yes, this formatter is perfect for Kubernetes manifests. It will ensure your Deployments, Pods, and Services have the correct hierarchical indentation.
Can I format Docker Compose YAML?
Yes, it perfectly formats docker-compose.yml files, fixing common issues with service alignment and port list spacing.
Can I format GitHub Actions YAML?
Yes. GitHub Actions relies heavily on YAML. This tool will ensure your workflow files are syntactically valid before you commit them.
Why is my YAML formatter not working in VS Code?
Usually, this happens if you don't have a dedicated YAML extension installed, or if there's a conflict between Prettier and the Red Hat YAML extension. Try installing the Red Hat YAML extension and setting it as the default formatter.
Is this YAML Formatter safe?
Yes, it is 100% safe. The formatting and validation happen locally in your browser. We do not send your configuration files to our servers.

How We Keep Your Configs Safe & Valid

Built-in Error Checking

Every file is checked against official rules. We catch missing fields and bad syntax. YAML indentation errors are flagged right away. Kubernetes, Terraform, and Docker specs are all covered. API versions and labels are verified too. You get valid output every time you generate.

100% Private & Local

All tools run in your browser only. Your API keys never leave your machine. We do not use any tracking scripts. No data is sent to any server. Passwords and secrets stay on your device. Crypto operations use the Web Crypto API. Your privacy is fully protected at all times.

Secure Settings by Default

Configs use safe defaults out of the box. Containers run as non-root users. Root filesystems are set to read-only. Dangerous Linux capabilities are dropped. Network policies limit pod-to-pod traffic. TLS 1.3 is enabled for web servers. Security headers are added where needed.

Ready for CI/CD & Git

Output files are ready for your Git repo. Use them with ArgoCD, Flux, or GitHub Actions. Files use clear formatting and comments. Code review is easy for your team. Indentation and key order are consistent. Test in staging before going to production. Every file is clean and well-structured.

Infrastructure as Code

Store configs in Git alongside your code. Terraform modules include typed variables. Backend configs support remote state locking. Outputs work across multiple modules. Ansible playbooks use clear task steps. Chef and Puppet configs are also supported. Every file works with version control tools.

Monitoring & Tracing

Set up Prometheus with auto-discovery rules. Create Grafana dashboards with template variables. Add alerting rules with severity labels. Use OpenTelemetry for trace collection. Forward logs to Loki or Elasticsearch. Connect to Jaeger or Tempo for tracing. Monitor metrics, logs, and traces together.

Container & Docker Safety

Dockerfiles use multi-stage builds for small images. Base images are pinned to exact versions. Dev files are excluded from final images. Health checks are added for orchestrator use. Containers switch to non-root users. Docker Compose uses named volumes and networks. Resource limits are set in deploy configs.

Multiple Output Formats

Export as YAML, JSON, HCL, or TOML. Kubernetes uses YAML with proper separators. Terraform uses HCL with correct escaping. JSON output has consistent indentation. Copy to clipboard with one click. Preview output with syntax highlighting. Line numbers help you review quickly.