The first version of RenderCV came together in the summer of 2022. I wanted my résumé to live in a JSON file, so that a single edit could update both the PDF version and my website (which hosted my résumé at the time).
In 2023, I was applying to PhD programs and going to write my résumé constantly. But the code from 2022 was in Lua, working with LuaLaTeX. I had to rewrite it.
So I took what I had learned in 2022 and built it properly: a CLI tool, implemented cleanly with Python and , that turns a YAML file into a PDF. I released it in October 2023 on Reddit.
It became very popular. RenderCV has changed a great deal since then. It left behind for Typst. It has grown to stars on GitHub and downloads on PyPI.
Here are some comments on RenderCV from all over the internet:
As a scientist who constantly has to edit new CV, I almost cried of joy. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's like the exact tool I needed.
First thought: "Wow look at this ultra-specialized junk in a world where this problem has been solved 30 times." Post-reactionary thoughts: "Damn, this is actually such an elegant and preferred way to deal with my CV... I think I'm going to install this..."
I used this recently for my resume and I recommend it. I have the technical background to write LaTeX and Typst documents but I honestly didn't want the headache. Plus I'm the type to futz with styling all day long instead of putting down actual content. RenderCV was simple to use and did exactly what I wanted.
Creator of JSON Resume here. Cool project, the PDFs look beautiful.
I've been using it for a while and I love it. I hate formatting my resume so focusing on the content is awesome. I have this in a repo with CI to test generating on each PR. I don't miss my Google Drive resume folder containing 9 iterations of my resume.
It's free, private, ATS-readable, and surprisingly easy to use. The kicker: it is version-controllable and creates tiny file sizes automatically. I'll never look back!
This project has helped recently me and my partner to remove the anxiety of designing a CV and I feel like this is a great tool.
I just discovered RenderCV and it feels like it was made for developers like me who absolutely hate using Word to build a CV. Instead of fighting with formatting, margins, and random spacing issues, you write your CV in a simple structured file and let the tool generate a clean, professional PDF automatically.
Kudos for making this project available as so robust. I have been developing similar solution myself based on markdown -- but this one is way better.
This is such an amazing project. I want more than what Markdown can easily do and I don't know LaTeX so I have to fire up my Windows machine and fight with Word for an hour every time I want to update my resume. I will absolutely be using this project.
This is the best thing ever, full stop.
I created a repository to keep track of my resume with. I used RenderCV, and it's a Godsend!
Engineers: stop formatting your CVs manually. Write your CV in YAML. Version it with Git. Generate a pixel-perfect PDF every time. Content first. Layout automated. Your CV becomes code.
The fact that you use Typst for the backend made me absolutely fall in love with this project. I've been getting heavily into Typst lately. I wrote my whole thesis on it. Such a powerful program.
A resume should be always about the content not fighting with formatting. Brilliantly done free tool that takes the resume rewriting process away from frustration.
Used this for a recent resume update, super practical. Love the YAML + Typst combo and the version-controlled workflow. Thanks for building and sharing -- this is genuinely useful!
I used RenderCV in my recent job search and it was fantastic. Thank you for making this. I look forward to using it again in the future.
Something both simple and cool that removes the need to fight a word processor, removes the need to learn LaTeX, makes your CV easily git trackable, and makes your CV easily deployable. Cool project man.
I am using this for a while now and its great. Config versioned in GitHub and a GitHub Action that generates the PDF file. If I want to build different variants, just create a branch and modify the YAML file.
One master document, unlimited versions. Professional layouts without design headaches. Easy updates that apply everywhere instantly. Clean PDFs ready to send.
Keep up the good work! I've started using it last summer and it's awesome! Works reliably, on my machine, and is quite easy to use, what more can you want?
I love this. The normal paywall BS in front of most resume websites is enough to turn me away. Never thought of version controlling my resume either. Very neat!
This is killer. I've been meaning to look for something that functions in this exact way.
RenderCV is a great tool! This and the pipeline are now saving me countless time.
I actually started using your project a few days ago when you made the transition to Typst. I really like the YAML implementation. I can focus on the content of the resume this way. Editing and formatting resumes has never been easier.
Your resume is now just text. RenderCV turns a simple YAML file into a clean PDF with perfect spacing. Great for students and engineers who hate template mess.
I used to spend a lot of time adjusting my CV. Until I discovered this open-source CV generator: RenderCV. You write your CV as a YAML file, run RenderCV, and instantly get a professional PDF.
The idea of treating your CV as code clicked immediately. Content and formatting are separate, you edit the content, RenderCV handles the design. No more fighting with Word or Google Docs.
Stop wasting hours formatting resumes. Use RenderCV instead. A clean, professional resume generated automatically. No manual spacing, no font issues, no layout breaking when you change one line.
Favorited for next time I make a resume -- thanks for making this! Hopefully I'll never have to touch LaTeX ever again.
This is so cool, I used Reactive Resume in the past but it's such an overengineered solution to a simple problem. I never heard about Typst before, thanks for sharing!
I am so ready to stop fighting with formatting through LaTeX to always ensure my resume fits on 1 or 2 pages. This is perfect for anyone who writes their resume in LaTeX, tries to have versioning, or has multiple copies of their CV.
I spent ages using the default Google Docs template as a resume. That was until I found out about RenderCV. It's super easy to customise your resume as you see fit, with a ton of preconfigured templates from the community!
Awesome! I am building an LLM powered resume tailoring app, and am using your YAML format and YAML-to-PDF conversion as the last step.
This might be the first project posted here that I actually find useful. Great work!
Love this! YAML is all you should need for a resume. Great job! I'm also developing a config-based library with Pydantic, and I'll be using your library as a role model!
This has to be the nerdiest way to update your CV ever! I love it. Can't wait to give it a shot!
Great timing, just started updating my CV yesterday. I'm on a journey to make everything in my life declarative, and this is another step towards that goal.
What if your resume were code you could regenerate for every job? Resume as code -- all content lives in YAML, so edits are simple and trackable. Consistent PDF output -- clean typography without fighting templates.
As someone whose resume is in LaTeX, this is right up my alley, and looks to be much much easier. Nice work!
YAML instead of LaTeX: updating content is dramatically simpler. Version control: plain text file = Git-trackable. Your professional history is managed like any software project.
This looks like a really good way to create resumes in a structured way without being in rich-text hell.
I built a tool using RenderCV that reduces resume modification time from hours to minutes. Store your basic info once, maintain a master list of skills, and for each job just pick relevant items. Let RenderCV handle the professional styling automatically.
A very cool and simple way to have an actual structured document. Also from the docs it looks like you thought of a lot of great little details to make life easier. Love it.
A simple, free tool that makes professional resumes a breeze. It converts YAML into a clean, modern PDF in seconds, with perfect design. No more wasting time trying to fix layouts in Word or Overleaf.
Thank you so much for this repository, I have found it highly useful for my academic journey.
This project helps democratize building a well structured CV while saving fighting with the word processors. Kudos to you and the team.
I really love tools that treat documents as code. I have been trying to move my workflows away from binary formats like PPT and Word to text-based ones I can more easily version control.
I used LaTeX to build my CV, but I think your idea of writing content in YAML is better than writing LaTeX code.
I use a LaTeX template for my CVs, but the data layer should be in a JSON or something else, and the template just loads the data. This is a lot better than my actual pipeline.
I made my CV using pure HTML and CSS because every other CV generator added too huge gaps between sections. But your solution looks pretty concise.
Recently started playing with RenderCV as a single source of truth, version control, and simplistic resume management tool.
Love this. I was fed up with using Word, and I'm pretty comfortable writing YAML.
Incredible, I've been looking for a replacement of XML Resume Library for a long time and this looks like it might be it.
Excited to hear about the update. I've been using RenderCV for over a year. I'm excited to see the new improvements.
Thank you for this amazing tool! It has been incredibly helpful in streamlining my CV creation.
First of all, I love this tool you created. Thanks for your hard work on it.
This is awesome, I love it! So great. Excited to see if more themes would be added too. Well done!
Thank you for putting out this handy tool! I really like the streamlined functionality and the included designs.
Fantastic product! Starred and would definitely use and share it.
I have recently explored RenderCV and found the templates to be minimal and the PDF friendly, thanks for the nice project.
That's pretty damn amazing lol
Hey, the project is really cool and nice to use!
"Version control for CV" -- coding is great, tbh!
Love the new changes. PDF update time is rapid.
Oh awesome! This is a great solution to resumes.
Thank you for this Python package. I have been looking for something like this for a while.
A great thanks for their wonderful work. It's so great to see people giving out so much.
Thanks for creating and maintaining rendercv! Looks really useful and I'm looking forward to using it.
Thanks to RenderCV for making CV-as-code possible.
Love your package!
In March 2026, we launched the AI-native RenderCV web app. It now earns in monthly recurring revenue.
Check out the source on GitHub: github.com/rendercv/rendercv
Read the documentation: docs.rendercv.com
Try the web app: rendercv.com