---
name: "foodcritic"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "foodcritic"
version: "8.1.0-1"
release: "Debian 9 (Stretch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/foodcritic"
---

# foodcritic(1)

lint tool for chef cookbooks

## NAME

**foodcritic** - lint tool for chef cookbooks

## SYNOPSIS

**foodcritic** \[*options*...\] *cookbook*...

**foodcritic** \[*options*...\] --list

## DESCRIPTION

**foodcritic** makes it easier to flag problems in your Chef cookbooks that will cause Chef to blow up when you attempt to converge. This is about faster feedback.

Each **cookbook** path specified will be examined for common problems and poor style.

## OPTIONS

- **-t**, **--tags** *TAGS*

  Only check against rules with the specified tags. Prefix tags with a tilde **~** to exclude rules.

- **-l**, **--list**

  Do not perform a lint check; instead simply list the rules that would be enabled based on the defaults and the rule selection options (-t, -I)

- **-f**, **--epic-fail** *TAGS*

  Exit non-zero if any of the specified tags are matched. Use the pseudo-tag **any** to fail if any tag is matched.

- **-c**, **--chef-version** *VERSION*

  Only check against rules valid for this version of Chef.

- **-B**, **--cookbook-path**

  Cookbook path(s) to check.

- **-C**, **--**\[**no-**\]**context**

  Show lines matched against rather than the default summary.

- **-E**, **--environment-path**

  Environment path(s) to check.

- **-I**, **--include** *PATH*

  Additional rule file path(s) to load.

- **-R**, **--role-path**

  Role path(s) to check.

- **-S**, **--search-grammar** *PATH*

  Specify grammar to use when validating search syntax. (Default: the grammar of any installed Chef)

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display the foodcritic version.

- **-X**, **--exclude** *PATH*

  Exclude path(s) from being linted.

## RETURN VALUES

By default, **foodcritic** will always return **0**.

If **--epic-fail** is specified, then **foodcritic** will return **3** if any tags are matched.

## COPYRIGHT

**foodcritic** is Copyright 2011 by Andrew Crump.

## SEE ALSO

chef(1)