Installing Node.js

First, you must download and install node.js. NPM stands for Node Packaged Modules and is a way to manage development dependencies through Node.js.

Download the Node.js source code or a pre-built installer for your platform, and start developing, you can download it from nodejs.org

You can check it in your terminal window using these commands node --version and npm --version.

Installing Gulp

GulpJS is a JavaScipt task runner. In one word: automation. The less work you have to do when performing repetitive tasks like minification, compilation, unit testing, linting, etc.

Apex Build System uses the gulp task to generate the different templates.

From the command line:

  • Install gulp globally with npm install gulp-cli -g
  • To install node packages, navigate to apex-admin-template/ directory. Then run npm install. NPM uses the package.json file and automatically install the required local dependencies listed in it.

Gulp Commands

gulpfile.js file contains all the predefined task. The table given below contains all the gulp tasks and usages.

You can modify or add task in gulpfile.js file.

Command Description
gulp dist-clean Clean js and css folders from app-assets.
gulp dist-js Clean js folder from app-assets, copy js files from src folder and minify them in app-assets/js.
gulp sass-compile Compile core, main(app), pages and plugins scss files.
gulp dist-css Clean css folder, compile all scss files, auto prefix them, organize them and finally minify them in app-assets/css folder.
gulp dist Generate css and js files in app-assets folder.
gulp monitor Watch all scss and compile it accordingly. In this command you need to pass the Layout, LayoutName & TextDirection.
Building Tools