Pug (formerly known as Jade) is a high-performance template engine for Node.js and browsers. It uses indentation-based syntax to write cleaner, more concise HTML. With Pug, you eliminate closing tags and reduce visual clutter, making your markup 50-70% shorter. It supports variables, mixins (reusable blocks), conditionals, loops, and JavaScript expressions. Pug is ideal for developers who write a lot of HTML and want to boost productivity while maintaining readability.

This tool uses the official pug npm package loaded via CDN to compile your Pug code directly in the browser. The conversion happens entirely client-side — your code never leaves your device. Simply type or paste Pug syntax into the left editor, and the compiled HTML appears instantly on the right. The tool supports real-time conversion with a smart debounce, so you see results as you type. You can also load sample templates to explore Pug's features.

The full Pug compiler supports all standard Pug features, including: tag shorthand (div.class#id), attributes in parentheses, nested indentation, text blocks with |, JavaScript expressions with = and #{} interpolation, conditionals (if/else), iteration (each/in, while), mixins with mixin and +call, block extends/includes, filters (markdown, coffeescript), and doctype declarations. Even complex nested structures with dynamic data are handled accurately.

Pug uses CSS selector-like syntax for classes and IDs:
• div.classname → <div class="classname">
• div#unique-id → <div id="unique-id">
• button.btn.btn-primary#submit-btn → <button class="btn btn-primary" id="submit-btn">
• span.text-muted.small → <span class="text-muted small">
You can chain multiple classes and combine them with an ID. If no tag name is specified, div is assumed by default.

Yes! Pug has built-in support for conditionals and loops:
• if condition / else if / else for conditional rendering
• each item in array for iterating over arrays
• each value, key in object for iterating over objects
• while condition for while loops
• for item in array as an alternative syntax
These make Pug extremely powerful for generating dynamic HTML from data structures.

Absolutely. All conversion happens locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your Pug code is never transmitted to any server, stored, or logged. The official Pug compiler runs entirely within your browser's JavaScript engine. You can even disconnect your internet after the page loads — the tool will continue working offline. This makes it safe for proprietary or sensitive template code.

Common Pug errors include:
• Inconsistent indentation: Pug requires consistent use of spaces or tabs. Mixing them causes parsing errors. Use 2 spaces per indentation level (recommended).
• Missing closing parenthesis in attributes: div(class="foo" is invalid.
• Unclosed quotes in attribute values or text.
• Invalid JavaScript expressions in = or #{} interpolations.
• Using reserved words as variable names.
The error panel above will show the exact line and description to help you debug quickly.

Pug uses indentation to define nesting (no closing tags needed), supports variables, mixins, and logic natively, and produces much shorter files. HTML uses explicit opening/closing tags, is more verbose but universally supported without compilation. Pug is compiled to HTML before serving to browsers. Key advantages of Pug: cleaner syntax, reusable components (mixins), template inheritance (extends), and reduced typing. Pug files can be 30-50% smaller than equivalent HTML.

Yes, the tool handles large templates efficiently. Since compilation is client-side, performance depends on your device. For very large files (10,000+ lines), compilation typically completes in under 100ms on modern hardware. The editors support files of any size, and the debounced real-time conversion ensures smooth typing even with large templates. For massive projects, consider using the Pug CLI directly.

Yes! Pug is actively maintained with the latest version 3.0.2. It has over 21,000+ stars on GitHub and is used by thousands of developers worldwide. Major frameworks like Express.js officially support Pug as a view engine. Many large-scale production applications use Pug for server-side rendering. The project continues to receive updates, security patches, and community contributions.