Bootstrap npm Starter Template: Your Quick-Start Guide

Jan 22, 2022 | Programming

If you’re looking to kickstart your next project with Bootstrap’s powerful front-end framework, you’re in the right place! The bootstrap-npm-starter is a GitHub template repository designed specifically for creating Bootstrap 4 powered npm projects swiftly. Maintained by @mdo, co-author of Bootstrap, this template empowers you to set up your projects in no time.

Bootstrap npm logo

About the Template

The bootstrap-npm-starter provides a robust foundation, allowing you to build your projects using Bootstrap 4. You can also use it as your prototyping sandbox for experimenting with Bootstrap features. If you’re interested in Bootstrap 5 examples, don’t forget to check out our new twbsexamples repo.

What’s Included?

  • Single HTML page (index.html) to demonstrate Bootstrap integration.
  • Bootstrap source files (version 4.6.2) included via npm.
  • Bootstrap Icons (version 1.10.3) with over 1,800 icons available.
  • NPM scripts for compiling and autoprefixing Sass, watching for changes, and starting a local server with live reload.
  • Example SCSS stylesheet (scssstarter.scss) to customize Bootstrap.
  • Example JavaScript file (assets/js/starter.js) demonstrating Bootstrap imports.

Getting Started

Before diving into the setup, ensure you have Node.js installed on your machine, preferably the LTS release (currently v18.x). Now, let’s go through the steps to get everything up and running!

git clone https://github.com/twbs/bootstrap-npm-starter
cd bootstrap-npm-starter
npm i
npm run css-compile
npm start
npm run watch
npm run server

Understanding the Setup Process

Think of setting up your Bootstrap project like preparing a kitchen for cooking. The steps to perform are like gathering the ingredients and tools:

  • Cloning the Repo: This is like choosing your recipe book. You get everything you’ll need to begin.
  • Installing Dependencies: Imagine buying groceries. These packages will allow you to use Bootstrap seamlessly in your project.
  • Compiling Sass: Just as chopping vegetables prepares them for cooking, compiling Sass prepares your stylesheets, making them ready to be served on the web.
  • Starting the Server: This is like preheating the oven; it gets your project all set to run and display in your browser.

Available NPM Scripts

The starter repository comes packed with several helpful npm scripts:

Script Description
server Starts a local server (http://localhost:3000) for development with live reloads.
watch Automatically recompiles CSS while monitoring the SCSS directory for changes.
css-compile Compiles SCSS into CSS.
css-lint Runs Stylelint on SCSS for code quality checks.
css-purge Removes unused CSS using PurgeCSS.
test Runs css-lint and css in sequence.

Advanced Usage

Once you’re comfortable with the basic setup, it’s time to enhance your project!

  • Optimizing CSS: You can streamline your project by including only the necessary stylesheets in the scssstarter.scss file.
  • Optimizing JS: Similar to CSS, import only the required JavaScript components by editing jsstarter.js.
  • PurgeCSS: Improve performance by running npm run css-purge to remove unused styles based on your HTML.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while installing or running the project, consider these troubleshooting tips:

  • Ensure you have the latest version of Node.js installed.
  • Check for any errors in the terminal; they often provide helpful hints on what went wrong.
  • Revisit npm commands you used—typo errors can lead to unexpected results.
  • If your changes aren’t reflecting, make sure to save your files and restart the server.

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