How can I change buf format setting to 4 spaces indent?

[bufdev]

We don't support customization of the formatter - we believe that there should be exactly one way to format your Protobuf files, and any decision is better than no decision. As such, we went with 2 spaces, which is the majority usage for Protobuf as of now, and will stick with that. Apologies for the hassle.

[rinarakaki]

For example, Boston Dynamics API uses 4-space indentation in their protobuf definitions and they state so in their style guide:

• https://dev.bostondynamics.com/docs/protos/style_guide
• https://github.com/boston-dynamics/spot-sdk/blob/master/protos/bosdyn/api/alerts.proto

[QuantumGhost]

We use tab for indentation in protobuf file. This allows every user choose their own indentation size while keeping all protobuf files consistent.

Forcing 2 spaces as indentation size for every user is not ideal. If you really want to make it "Zero configuration", I believe using tab is more appropriate. (same as what the Go team did)

[bufdev]

Our opinion is that you should switch to two spaces, which in our experience is what the majority of Protobuf APIs do, and help remove fragmentation in the community.

[polRk]

@bufdev What should developers who have vision problems and find it difficult to distinguish between two spaces do? Especially for large nested structures?