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HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter

By Peter Mukhortov

Developer Tools & Customization / Code Snippets & Custom Code

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter Review - In-Depth Analysis

Enhance WordPress code editors with syntax highlighting using CodeMirror.js. Supports Classic Post, Gutenberg, and Theme/Plugin editors.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.15/10

User Rating

4.4/5 (based on 110+ reviews)

Active Installations

60,000+

Update Frequency

Very Good It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Add syntax highlighting in the Classic Post and Page HTML text editor, Gutenberg Code Editor, and Theme and Plugin editors using CodeMirror.js.

This plugin features syntax highlighting in the Post/Page HTML editor, the Gutenberg Code Editor (not the Visual Editor), and the Theme and Plugin editors. It also provides syntax highlighting for WordPress shortcodes, allows saving posts and pages with Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac), and restores cursor position after the page is reloaded.

Customize your experience with a huge selection of themes and other options. Fullscreen mode can be toggled with F11 or Esc hotkeys.

Comparing to Alternatives

HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter offers a specialized syntax highlighting experience for HTML editing within WordPress, with several alternatives available that provide custom code insertion and editing capabilities.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Provides real-time syntax highlighting for HTML editing within WordPress.
Allows saving edits quickly using keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+S.
Integrates settings directly into the editor without a separate admin page.
Supports WordPress shortcode syntax highlighting.
Built on the reliable Code Mirror library for code editing.

Weaknesses

Causes delays or pauses while writing, affecting user experience.
Limited options compared to some alternatives focusing on broader code management.
Settings button on mobile can be distracting or buggy.
Does not support Markdown syntax highlighting in the editor.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star and 4-star ratings, users appreciate the plugin's functionality and ease of use, though a small minority report performance issues.

Positive highlights

"This plugin is really cool... I can save it with CTRL+S keys, and that changed my life 😀" - DragoWeb
"No WP Admin page, all settings are performed while editing. This is a perfect job." - Tim Reeves
"Thank you for taking the time to create such an awesome plugin 🙂 lots of options of colours etc." - ximbor
"Works, even on iOS/mobile... highlights WordPress shortcodes syntax." - FolioVision
"The fantastical plugin that converts faceless TinyMCE to the powerful tool." - Alexander Guskov

Common complaints

Causes delays while writing in the editor, resulting in frustrating pauses.

Weaknesses

Performance issues causing input lag during editing.
Limited feature set compared to some competitors.
Mobile settings interface can be distracting or buggy.
Lacks Markdown syntax highlighting support.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers and site builders who frequently edit HTML code directly within WordPress and want syntax highlighting and quick save functionality without leaving the editor.

Not ideal for

Users who require extensive code management features, experience performance sensitivity during editing, or need Markdown syntax support may find this plugin less suitable.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes all core features such as HTML syntax highlighting, shortcode support, and integrated editor settings without a separate admin page.

Final Verdict

HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter is a well-regarded plugin that enhances the WordPress HTML editing experience with real-time syntax highlighting and convenient save shortcuts. It is especially valued by users who prefer direct code editing and appreciate its integration without a separate settings page.

While it faces some criticism for performance delays and limited advanced features, it remains a strong choice for those needing straightforward HTML editing enhancements. The absence of security vulnerabilities and a free, fully functional offering add to its appeal.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter plugin.

Code Coloring

Code Highlighter

Codemirror

Syntax Highlighter

Text Editor

Screenshots

FAQ

Yes! Partially… Since version 2.3.0, it works with the Gutenberg Code Editor, but only the Code Editor, not the Visual Editor. Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+M / Cmd+Shift+Alt+M to switch between the Visual Editor and the Code Editor.

It does not work with blocks in the Gutenberg Visual Editor. This means it does not highlight code in: * The Edit as HTML section of every block * The Custom HTML block * The Shortcode block See the last screenshot for a visual example.

It may work with other code related parts of Gutenberg in the future. Track the progress here.

WordPress has a feature called the ‘auto p’ filter which:

“Changes double line-breaks in the text into HTML paragraphs.”

For example, auto p will take some standard post content like this:

Some long text that has many lines.  And paragraphs in it.

and turn it into something like this:

<p>Some long text<br/> that has many lines</p> <p>And paragraphs in it.</p>

Like your little brother, it thinks it’s helping, even if it isn’t.

What can I do about it? * Disable auto p: There are several plugins you can use to disable auto p in the Classic Editor. I’d recommend Toggle wpautop. * Show the p tags: The plugin TinyMCE Advanced has an Advanced Option to ‘Keep paragraph tags’. This option will still add the “auto p” tags but won’t strip them out of the visible code.

You can read more about this issues this may cause in this support thread.