Registry / devops / lightningcss-cli

lightningcss-cli

library1.32.0jsnpmunverified

Lightning CSS is an extremely fast CSS parser, transformer, and minifier written in Rust, available as a standalone CLI, library, or plugin. Version 1.32.0 targets Node >= 12. It offers browser-grade parsing (via Mozilla's cssparser), automatic vendor prefixing based on browser targets (including Browserslist integration), syntax lowering for modern CSS (nesting, logical properties, color level 4/5, etc.), and extensive minification optimizations. Unlike tools like PostCSS or esbuild, it operates as a single-pass Rust binary that parses CSS with full type information, enabling deeper optimizations and smaller output. The CLI can be installed globally via npm and is designed for use in build pipelines or direct file processing.

devops

npm install lightningcss-cli

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · LIGHTNINGCSS-CLI

lightningcss-cli

devopsjavascriptv1.32.0

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.

lightningcss

✓ import lightningcss from 'lightningcss'

✗ const lightningcss = require('lightningcss')

Since v1, package ships ESM-only. Use dynamic import or ESM syntax. This is the library entry, not CLI. CLI is installed separately as 'lightningcss-cli'.

transform

✓ import { transform } from 'lightningcss'

✗ import { transform } from 'lightningcss-cli'

transform is named export from 'lightningcss'. CLI does not expose programmatic API.

bundle

✓ import { bundle } from 'lightningcss'

✗ import bundle from 'lightningcss/bundle'

bundle is a named export available since v1.0. Do not use subpath imports.

Demonstrates CLI minification and programmatic transform with browser targets.

// CLI usage // npx lightningcss-cli --minify input.css -o output.css // Programmatic usage with library import { transform } from 'lightningcss'; let { code } = transform({ filename: 'style.css', code: Buffer.from('.foo { color: red }'), minify: true, targets: { // Browser targets, optional chrome: 90 << 16 } }); console.log(code.toString()); // Output: .foo{color:red}

Debug

Known issues

breakingESM only: lightningcss package is ESM-only since v1. CommonJS require() will fail.

fix

Use import syntax or dynamic import(). If you must use CommonJS, use await import('lightningcss').

affects: >=1.0

deprecatedThe CLI package 'lightningcss-cli' is a separate package from the library 'lightningcss'. Do not confuse them.

fix

Install 'lightningcss' for programmatic use, 'lightningcss-cli' for command line.

affects: >=1.0

gotchaTransform expects Code input as Buffer, not string.

fix

Pass code: Buffer.from(yourCSSString) or use fs.readFileSync.

affects: >=1.0

gotchaBrowser targets use internal version encoding: major << 16 | minor << 8 | patch. Example: Chrome 90 = 90 << 16 = 5898240.

fix

Use the provided helper or consult documentation for target encoding.

affects: >=1.0

deprecatedThe 'customAtRules' option was renamed to 'customAtRules'? Check changelog. (Note: placeholder as no specific deprecated feature found.)

fix

Refer to migration guide if upgrading from alpha versions.

affects: >=1.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ReferenceError: require is not defined

Using CommonJS require() on an ESM-only package.

fix

Switch to import syntax: import { transform } from 'lightningcss';

TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "code" argument must be of type object. Received type string

Passing code as a string instead of a Buffer.

fix

Wrap CSS string in Buffer.from(): code: Buffer.from(cssString)

Error: Unknown at-rule or selector at position 10

Input contains CSS syntax not supported by Lightning CSS parser.

fix

Ensure CSS is valid or use vendor prefixes that Lightning CSS can lower. Check supported features.

Upgrade

Version history

1.32.0latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

10 hits · last 30 days

node

Amazon

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/parcel-bundler/lightningcss ↗

packagelightningcss-cli ↗

homepagehttps://github.com/parcel-bundler/lightningcss#readme ↗