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How to set up Vite to compile Scss and JS in a basic HTML project

2 min read
Published on 14th December 2023

Vite, a modern front-end build tool, has gained popularity for its fast performance and simplicity. Particularly for projects using SCSS (Sassy CSS) and JavaScript, Vite offers an efficient way to handle compilation and bundling. Let's walk through the process of setting up Vite in a basic HTML project to compile SCSS and JavaScript.

Understanding Vite

Vite, designed by the creator of Vue.js, is a build tool that significantly improves the frontend development experience. It leverages modern browser features like native ES modules to serve code during development, leading to faster start times and instant updates.

Prerequisites

Before setting up Vite, ensure you have Node.js installed on your system, as Vite requires it to run.

Step 1: Initialize Your Project

Create a new directory for your project and initialize it with npm:


mkdir my-vite-project

cd my-vite-project

npm init -y

This command creates a basic package.json file in your project.

Step 2: Install Vite

Install Vite as a dev dependency using npm:


npm install vite --save-dev

Step 3: Set Up Your Project Structure

Create the initial project files and directories:

  • index.html: Your main HTML file.

  • src: A directory to hold your SCSS and JavaScript files.

  - main.js: Your main JavaScript file.

  - style.scss: Your main SCSS file.

Step 4: Configure Vite

Vite automatically picks up configuration from the vite.config.js file. Create this file in your project root:


// vite.config.js

import { defineConfig } from 'vite';

export default defineConfig({

  // Configuration options

});

Vite can handle SCSS out of the box, so no extra SCSS-specific configuration is needed.

Step 5: Update index.html

Link your JavaScript file in your index.html:


<!DOCTYPE html>

<html lang="en">

<head>

    <meta charset="UTF-8">

    <title>Vite App</title>

</head>

<body>

    <div id="app"></div>

    <script type="module" src="/src/main.js"></script>

</body>

</html>

Step 6: Write Your SCSS and JavaScript

In src/style.scss, write your SCSS:


body {

  background-color: pink;

}

In src/main.js, import your SCSS file and write your JavaScript:


import './style.scss';

console.log('Hello from Vite');

Step 7: Running Your Project

Add a start script to your package.json:


"scripts": {

  "dev": "vite"

}

Run your project:


npm run dev

This will start the Vite development server. Visit the URL provided in the terminal to see your project.

Step 8: Building for Production

To build your project for production, add a build script:


"scripts": {

  "build": "vite build"

}

Run the build command:


npm run build

Vite compiles your SCSS and JavaScript, optimizes them, and outputs the production files in the dist directory.

Setting up Vite in a basic HTML project for SCSS and JavaScript compilation is straightforward. With Vite, you benefit from fast build times and an efficient development experience. Whether you're working on a small project or a large-scale application, Vite is an excellent tool that streamlines your front-end development process.