Sass, Less, and SCSS
JetBrains Rider integrates with compilers that translate Sass, Less, and SCSS code into CSS. To use a compiler in JetBrains Rider, you need to configure it as a File Watcher. For each supported compiler, JetBrains Rider provides a predefined File Watcher template. To run a compiler in your project, create a project-specific File Watcher based on the relevant template.
Before you start
Install and enable the File Watchers repository plugin on the Plugins page as described in Managing Plugins.
Installing Sass/SCSS
Open the embedded Terminal ( or Ctrl+Alt+1) type
gem install sassat the command prompt. The package is installed in the folder where the Ruby executable file and thegem.batfile are stored.
Installing Less
Install Node.js.
Open the embedded Terminal ( or Ctrl+Alt+1) and type
npm install --global lessat the command prompt for global installation. Learn more from the Less Official website.
Compiling the code into CSS
To compile your code on the fly, you need to configure the compiler as a JetBrains Rider File Watcher.
To create a File Watcher
In the Settings/Preferences dialog (Ctrl+Alt+S), and then click File Watchers under Tools. The File Watchers page that opens, shows the list of File Watchers that are already configured in the project.
Click
or press Ctrl+N. Depending on the tool you are going to use, choose the Less, Sass, or SCSS predefined template from the list. - In the Program text box, specify the path to the compiler executable file or archive depending on the chosen predefined template.
lessc.cmd for Less. If you installed the tool through npm, JetBrains Rider locates the required file itself at <node.js_home>/node_modules/bin/lessc.cmd and fills in the field automatically. Otherwise, type the path manually or click
and choose the file location in the dialog box that opens. sass.bat for Sass.
scss.bat for SCSS
If you installed Sass and SCSS through Ruby, JetBrains Rider locates the required files itself at <ruby_home>/bin/sass.bat or <ruby_home>/bin/scss.bat respectively and fills in the field automatically. Otherwise, type the path manually or click
and choose the file location in the dialog box that opens. Proceed as described on page Using File Watchers.
Compiling the code
When you open a 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 (, 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 Sass, Less, or SCSS 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.