less-cache

library1.1.1jsnpmunverified

A Node.js library that compiles Less files and caches the resulting CSS. Version 1.1.1 is the last release; the project is in maintenance mode. It wraps the Less compiler with a simple disk cache (configurable directory) to speed up repeated compilations. Unlike webpack loaders or Gulp plugins, this is a standalone utility for one-off compilation with caching. It only provides synchronous readFileSync API. No longer actively developed by the Atom editor team.

devops

npm install less-cache

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · LESS-CACHE

less-cache

devopsjavascriptv1.1.1

harness data pending

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

No compatibility data collected yet for this library.

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

LessCache

✓ const LessCache = require('less-cache')

✗ import LessCache from 'less-cache'

Package uses CommonJS, not ES modules. ESM import will fail.

new LessCache(options)

✓ const cache = new LessCache({ cacheDir: '/tmp/less-cache' })

✗ const cache = LessCache({ cacheDir: '/tmp/less-cache' })

LessCache must be instantiated with 'new'. Forgetting 'new' causes TypeError.

cache.readFileSync(path)

✓ const css = cache.readFileSync('/path/to/style.less')

✗ cache.readFile('/path/to/style.less', (err, css) => {})

Only synchronous API available. No async variant.

Creates a LessCache instance with a custom cache directory and compiles a .less file synchronously.

const LessCache = require('less-cache'); const path = require('path'); const cacheDir = path.join(__dirname, '.less-cache'); const cache = new LessCache({ cacheDir }); // Path to your .less file const lessFile = path.join(__dirname, 'styles.less'); // Compile and cache; returns CSS string const css = cache.readFileSync(lessFile); console.log(css); // Subsequent calls use cache unless .less file changes const cachedCss = cache.readFileSync(lessFile); console.log('Cached:', cachedCss === css);

Debug

Known issues

breakingThe `cacheDir` option is required.

fix

Always provide `cacheDir` in constructor options.

affects: >=0.0.0

gotchaOnly synchronous API available; throws if file not found or compilation error.

fix

Wrap calls in try/catch or use async wrappers (unoffical).

affects: >=0.0.0

deprecatedPackage is no longer actively maintained by Atom. Last release 1.1.1 (2016).

fix

Consider alternatives like less-loader, gulp-less, or postcss with caching.

affects: >=0.0.0

gotchaCaching is based on file modification time; may not detect all changes (e.g., imports).

fix

Manually clear cache or use import-aware caching.

affects: >=0.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

TypeError: LessCache is not a constructor

Forgot 'new' when instantiating LessCache.

fix

Use `new LessCache({...})`.

Error: Cannot find module 'less'

Missing peer dependency 'less'.

fix

Run `npm install less` in your project.

ENOENT: no such file or directory, open '...'

Provided .less file path does not exist.

fix

Ensure the file path is correct and accessible.

Upgrade

Version history

1.1.1latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

lessrequiredPeer dependency for Less compilation

mkdirprequiredCreates cache directory recursively

Agent activity

2 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/atom/less-cache ↗

packageless-cache ↗

homepagehttp://atom.github.io/less-cache ↗