# Syntax Highlighting

Atmos provides syntax highlighting for YAML and JSON output in the terminal. You can customize the color scheme, enable line numbers, and control line wrapping behavior.

## Configuration

**File:** `atmos.yaml`

```yaml
settings:
  terminal:
    syntax_highlighting:
      enabled: true           # Enable/disable syntax highlighting
      formatter: terminal     # Output formatter
      theme: dracula          # Color scheme to use
      line_numbers: false     # Show line numbers
      wrap: false             # Wrap long lines
```

## Configuration Reference

- **`enabled`**

  Enable or disable syntax highlighting for terminal output.

  **Default:** `true`
- **`formatter`**

  Output formatter to use for rendering highlighted code.

  **Default:** `terminal`
- **`theme`**

  Color scheme for syntax highlighting. Atmos supports a wide range of themes.

  **Default:** `dracula`

  Popular themes:
  - `dracula` - Dark theme with vibrant colors
  - `monokai` - Classic dark theme
  - `github` - Light theme matching GitHub's style
  - `vim` - Vim's default color scheme
  - `solarized-dark` - Solarized dark variant
  - `solarized-light` - Solarized light variant
  - `nord` - Arctic, bluish color palette
  See the [full list of supported themes](https://xyproto.github.io/splash/docs/).
- **`line_numbers`**

  Show line numbers in syntax-highlighted output.

  **Default:** `false`
- **`wrap`**

  Wrap long lines to fit terminal width.

  **Default:** `false`

## Example Usage

Syntax highlighting is automatically applied when using commands that output YAML or JSON:

```bash
# Display config in YAML format with syntax highlighting
atmos describe config -f yaml

# Display config in JSON format with syntax highlighting
atmos describe config

# View stack configuration
atmos describe stacks -s plat-ue2-prod
```

> **Note**
>
> When output is piped to another command, syntax highlighting is automatically disabled to ensure compatibility:
>
> ```bash
> # Syntax highlighting is disabled when piping
> atmos describe config | grep base_path
> ```

## Automatic Behavior

Syntax highlighting behavior adapts to the environment:

- **Interactive terminal:** Full syntax highlighting with configured theme
- **Piped output:** Highlighting automatically disabled
- **Redirected to file:** Highlighting automatically disabled
- **With `--force-color`:** Highlighting preserved even when piping

## Related

- [Terminal Settings](/cli/configuration/settings/terminal)
- [Secret Masking](/cli/configuration/settings/mask)
- [Markdown Styling](/cli/configuration/settings/markdown-styling)