Apache Config Formatter & Beautifier

An .htaccess file with 50 rewrite rules, <Directory> blocks, <VirtualHost> sections, and conditional <IfModule> checks — all pasted together from Stack Overflow answers over the years. You need to add a new redirect but can’t tell which rules apply where because the indentation is flat.

What Is an Apache Config Formatter?

An Apache config formatter takes Apache HTTP Server configuration files (httpd.conf, .htaccess, virtual host files) and restructures them with consistent indentation for section directives, aligned parameters, and proper spacing. Apache’s XML-like section syntax (<VirtualHost>, <Directory>, <Location>, <IfModule>) benefits greatly from proper indentation to show nesting.

This tool supports:

• Section block indentation — proper nesting for <VirtualHost>, <Directory>, <Location>, <IfModule>
• Directive alignment — consistent spacing after directive names
• Comment preservation — keeps your inline comments and section headers
• RewriteRule formatting — aligned rewrite conditions and rules

Apache Configuration Structure

Apache configuration uses XML-like section directives for scoping:

• <VirtualHost>: Defines a virtual host with ServerName, DocumentRoot, SSL settings
• <Directory>: Applies settings to a filesystem directory path
• <Location>: Applies settings to a URL path
• <IfModule>: Conditional settings that apply only when a module is loaded
• <FilesMatch>: Applies settings to files matching a regex pattern
• .htaccess: Per-directory configuration overrides

Proper indentation makes it clear which directives are inside which sections and how deeply nested the configuration is.

Common Use Cases

htaccess debugging: .htaccess files accumulate rewrite rules and configuration directives over time. Format them to see the logical flow of URL rewriting, access controls, and MIME type settings.

Virtual host management: When managing dozens of virtual hosts, formatted configuration files make it easy to compare settings across sites and spot inconsistencies.

Migration to Nginx: Before converting Apache configs to Nginx, format them to clearly understand the current configuration — which rewrites need conversion, which modules are in use, and which access controls are defined.

Server hardening: Formatted configs make it easy to audit security headers, verify SSL/TLS settings, check directory listing permissions, and review access controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this handle .htaccess files? Yes. .htaccess files use the same directive syntax as httpd.conf. Rewrite rules (RewriteEngine, RewriteCond, RewriteRule), authentication directives, and all other .htaccess directives are formatted correctly.

Can it format mod_rewrite rules? Yes. RewriteCond and RewriteRule directives are formatted with proper indentation when inside section blocks. The regex patterns and substitution strings are preserved exactly as written.

Does it validate Apache syntax? The formatter checks for balanced section tags (every <VirtualHost> has a </VirtualHost>). It does not validate directive names or parameters — use apachectl configtest for full syntax validation.

Is my Apache config sent to a server? No. All formatting runs entirely in your browser. No configuration data is transmitted anywhere. Your server configuration details never leave your device.