Why strip comments from JavaScript
Most JS files pick up cruft over time. A TODO nobody resolved, a block that's commented out instead of deleted, a note that made sense to whoever wrote it six months ago and to nobody since. Stripping comments is a quick way to see what the code actually does, without the running commentary on top of it.
It's also the first step before minifying a script or pasting a snippet into a bug report where the internal notes aren't relevant to anyone reading it.
What counts as a comment in JavaScript
JavaScript has two comment styles: a // line comment that runs to the end of the line, and a /* */ block comment that can span several lines. Both get removed. Anything sitting inside a string, a template literal, or a regular expression is left alone, since it isn't a comment even if it happens to contain //.
Frequently asked questions
Does this touch JSX or template literals?
No. Only real // line comments and /* */ block comments get removed. Anything inside a string, template literal, or regex stays exactly as written.
Will it break my code?
It shouldn't. The parser knows the difference between a comment and a // inside a string like "https://example.com", so URLs and similar patterns are left alone.
Can I paste a whole file, not just a function?
Yes, up to 20,000 characters per request on the free tier. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited comment removal.