Question 1

How do I install Crunch on Windows?

Accepted Answer

Crunch's command-line executable can be installed on Windows using Cygwin or Windows Subsystem for Linux, but there is no native Windows GUI. Refer to the installation documentation for detailed setup with POSIX environments, as the README specifies these as the only Windows-compatible options.

Question 2

Crunch vs pngquant: which is better for PNG optimization?

Accepted Answer

Crunch wraps pngquant and adds zopflipng compression for more aggressive file size reduction. If you need a simple lossy tool, pngquant alone might suffice, but Crunch offers additional interfaces like a macOS GUI and integrated benchmarking for a more comprehensive solution.

Question 3

How to batch optimize PNGs with Crunch?

Accepted Answer

Use the command-line executable by passing multiple file paths as arguments, or drag and drop batches into the macOS GUI. The README provides usage examples for batch processing in both interfaces, making it straightforward for automated workflows.

Question 4

Does Crunch support lossless optimization?

Accepted Answer

No, Crunch is specifically designed for lossy PNG optimization, combining palette reduction and compression to achieve significant size savings at the expense of quality. For lossless optimization, you'd need to use tools like optipng or pngcrush instead.

Question 5

What image quality settings does Crunch have?

Accepted Answer

Crunch uses default settings from pngquant and zopflipng for aggressive optimization, with no built-in options for adjusting quality parameters. For fine-tuned control, you might need to modify the source code or use the underlying tools directly.

Question 6

Can I integrate Crunch into my CI/CD pipeline?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the CLI executable is suitable for CI/CD integration, and the project includes GitHub Actions benchmarks for automated testing. However, ensure compatibility with your build environment, especially on non-Unix systems where POSIX dependencies are required.

Crunch

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