seedling-js

Seedling

Seedling is a tool allowing to import the build system of a javascript project as a dependency.

About

This project is an attempt to fix some issues related to the build system of a web project such as:

• Having to update the build system on multiple projects
• Using a seed project or generator, but being unable to benefit from its updates
• Having the source code and build system depending on each other too much.

Here is what we try to achieve:

• Fully separate the code from the build system, allowing to easily switch the build system anytime.
• Import the build system as a package, allowing to get updates easily when there is a new version

Install

npm install -g seedling-js

Requirement

To use Seedling in your project, you will need both a seedling.json file, and being able to download a package containing the build system. (And of course a traditional package.json)

seedling.json

A JSON config file with a few properties:

{
    "scripts": {},
    "devDependencies": {},
    "dependencies": {},
    "buildOptions": {},
    "buildSystem": {
        "name": "my-angular-webpack-build",
        "version": "^1.0.0"
    }
}

Build System Package

The build system package is a simple package that can be downloaded through npm.

All paths needs to take into account the fact that this package will be in node_modules folder.

(So the root of the project will be located at ../../)

Example

- .eslintignore
- .eslintrc.js
- karma.conf.js
- webpack.config.js
- package.json

Usage

Install dependencies and generate package.json file

• Run seedling inside your project.

Build Project

• You will then be able to use any scripts defined in your build system as npm run ...

How does it work?

We are making changes to the package.json file by merging the properties scripts, devDependencies, dependencies of your build system package.json and the seedling.json of your project.

To add a new dependency, you will have to add it directly to the project's seedling.json and run seedling again to download new dependencies and re-create the package.json.

Future features

• Injecting the build instructions in the Project README.md
• Provide some options to generate a seedling.json and new dependencies.
• Add proper documentation to change version after publish
• Add a list of build system packages