less-watch-compiler

1.17.5 verified Fri May 01 auth: no javascript

A CLI tool that watches LESS file changes and automatically compiles them to CSS using the `lessc` compiler. Version 1.17.5 released intermittently; supports Node >=18. Key differentiator: it tracks dependency trees so changes to imported LESS files trigger recompilation of parent files. Filesystem watcher with options for source maps, plugins, and configuration files.

Common errors

error lessc: command not found ↓

cause LESS is not installed globally.

fix

Run npm install -g less to install the lessc binary.

Warnings

gotcha Requires global installation of `less` package to provide `lessc` binary. ↓

fix Run `npm install -g less` before using less-watch-compiler.

breaking Node >=18 required as of v1.17.0. ↓

fix Upgrade Node.js to version 18 or later.

deprecated The `lessc` binary may be deprecated in future LESS versions. The tool relies on `lessc` and may break if LESS changes its CLI. ↓

fix Monitor less-watch-compiler updates for compatibility changes.

gotcha Glob patterns in source/destination may not work as expected; only directories are watched. ↓

fix Use directories, not globs, for source and destination parameters.

Install

npm install less-watch-compiler

yarn add less-watch-compiler

pnpm add less-watch-compiler

Imports

CLI usage
wrong
```
Installing globally without lessc
```
correct
```
npx less-watch-compiler src dist
```
The tool is a CLI, not a library. It requires the `less` package to be installed globally.

Quickstart

Basic usage of less-watch-compiler: global install, watching folders, specifying main file, config file, and run-once.

# Install LESS and less-watch-compiler globally
npm install -g less less-watch-compiler

# Watch src folder and output to dist
less-watch-compiler src dist

# With main file (recompile only main.less on any change)
less-watch-compiler src dist main.less

# Using configuration file
less-watch-compiler --config less-watch-compiler.config.json

# Run once and exit
less-watch-compiler src dist --run-once