JetBrains Rider 2018.1 Help

Compiling Stylus to CSS

JetBrains Rider integrates with a compiler that translates Stylus code into CSS.

Before you start

  1. Install Node.js and configure it as a local Node.js interpreter.
  2. Install and enable the NodeJS repository plugin on the Plugins page as described in Installing, Updating and Uninstalling Repository Plugins and Enabling and Disabling Plugins.

Installing Stylus

Open the embedded Terminal (View | Tool Windows | Terminal) and type npm install --global stylus at the command prompt for global installation. Learn more from the Stylus Official website.

Creating a file watcher

JetBrains Rider provides a common procedure and user interface for creating File Watchers of all types. The only difference is in the predefined templates you choose in each case.

  1. To start creating a File Watcher, open the Settings/Preferences dialog box by choosing File | Settings for Windows and Linux or JetBrains Rider | Preferences for macOS on the main menu, and then click File Watchers under the Tools node. The File Watchers page that opens, shows the list of File Watchers that are already configured in the project.
  2. Click the Add button new.png or press Ctrl+N and choose the Stylus predefined template from the pop-up list.
  3. In the Program text box, specify the path to the executable file:
    • stylus for macOS and Unix.
    • stylus.bat for Windows.
    Type the path manually or click Browse browseButton.png and choose the file location in the dialog box that opens.
  4. Proceed as described on page Using File Watchers.

Compiling the code

When you open a Stylus file, JetBrains Rider checks whether an applicable file watcher is available in the current project. If such file watcher is configured but disabled, JetBrains Rider displays a pop-up window that informs you about the configured file watcher and suggests to enable it.

If an applicable file watcher is configured and enabled in the current project, JetBrains Rider starts it automatically upon the event specified in the New Watcher dialog.

  • If the Auto-save edited files to trigger the watcher checkbox is selected, the File Watcher is invoked as soon as any changes are made to the source code.
  • If the Auto-save edited files to trigger the watcher checkbox is cleared, the File Watcher is started upon save (File | Save All, Ctrl+Shift+S) or when you move focus from JetBrains Rider (upon frame deactivation).

JetBrains Rider creates a separate file with the generated output. The file has the name of the source Stylus file and the extension css. The location of the generated files is defined in the Output paths to refresh text box of the New Watcher dialog. However, in the Project Tree, they are shown under the source file which is now displayed as a node.

Last modified: 20 August 2018

See Also