How do I add CSS modules or Sass to Create Elm App?

By default, Create Elm App uses style-loader for basic CSS. To use CSS modules or Sass, you need to eject and manually modify the Webpack configuration, as these features aren't supported out of the box.

Create Elm App vs elm-webpack-starter: which is better for beginners?

Create Elm App is better for quick starts with zero configuration, while elm-webpack-starter offers more initial control. Choose Create Elm App if you prioritize simplicity, but elm-webpack-starter if you want to learn Webpack setup early.

How to deploy a Create Elm App project to Netlify?

Run 'elm-app build' to generate the production build in the 'build' folder, then deploy that folder as a static site on Netlify. Ensure any environment variables for ports or APIs are configured in Netlify's settings.

Does Create Elm App support Elm 0.19 and newer versions?

Yes, it supports Elm 0.19 and above by using the Elm Platform via npm. However, check the GitHub repository for specific version compatibility, as updates may lag behind Elm releases.

How to set up routing in a Create Elm App SPA?

Integrate Elm routing libraries like 'elm/browser' manually in your src files. Create Elm App doesn't enforce a routing structure, so follow Elm community guides and examples, such as the linked elm-spa-example.

Can I use Create Elm App with a monorepo setup?

It's possible but may require ejecting to adjust configurations. The zero-config setup assumes a standalone Elm app, so monorepo integration adds complexity and might need custom Webpack tweaks.

create-elm-app — Zero-Config Elm App Creator

What is create-elm-app?

Create Elm App is a command-line tool that bootstraps Elm projects with a pre-configured build pipeline, eliminating the need for manual setup. It provides a cohesive development experience by bundling essential tools like Webpack, Babel, and Elm Platform while maintaining simplicity through zero configuration requirements.

Target Audience

Elm developers who want to quickly start building web applications without spending time configuring build tools, especially those transitioning from React or similar ecosystems familiar with create-react-app.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Create Elm App for its zero-configuration approach, single dependency management, and the ability to eject for full customization, allowing them to focus on writing Elm code rather than tooling.

🍃 Create Elm apps with zero configuration

Use Cases

Best For

Bootstrapping new Elm projects quickly with a ready-to-use development server and build pipeline.
Developing Elm applications that require Hot Module Replacement for faster iteration during development.
Creating production-optimized Elm builds with minification and hashed filenames without manual configuration.
Teams or individuals seeking a standardized, low-friction setup for Elm development inspired by create-react-app.
Projects that may eventually need custom build configurations, as they can eject from the default setup at any time.
Learning Elm without the overhead of setting up and maintaining build tools like Webpack and Babel.

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring immediate, fine-grained control over Webpack or Babel configurations without ejecting
Teams already invested in alternative Elm build tools like Parcel or custom Webpack setups
Applications needing server-side rendering or advanced static site generation features
Developers aiming for a minimal, Elm-only toolchain without JavaScript ecosystem dependencies

Pros & Cons

Pros

Zero Configuration Setup

Bootstraps a fully functional Elm project with Webpack, Babel, and dev server pre-configured, allowing developers to start coding immediately without manual tooling setup.

Hot Module Replacement

Enables live reloading during development, overcoming Elm's standard tool limitations with ports and improving iteration speed, as highlighted in the README's comparison to elm-reactor.

Production-Ready Builds

Automatically optimizes output with minification and hashed filenames, ensuring performance and cache efficiency for deployments without additional configuration.

Single Dependency Management

Bundles all necessary build tools into one npm package, simplifying dependency updates and reducing setup complexity, as emphasized in the philosophy section.

Eject for Customization

Provides an escape hatch to eject the configuration for full control over the build process, adapting to specific project needs without lock-in, as stated in the README.

Cons

JavaScript Ecosystem Dependency

Requires Node.js and npm, adding overhead for developers who prefer Elm's native tooling or want to avoid JavaScript build chains, which can complicate pure Elm workflows.

Webpack-Centric Defaults

Locks users into a Webpack-based setup by default, which may not align with teams favoring other bundlers like Parcel or Vite, limiting flexibility until ejection.

Irreversible Eject Process

Ejecting is a one-way operation; once done, you cannot revert to the zero-config setup, forcing long-term maintenance of custom configurations and increasing complexity.

Potential for Stale Dependencies

As a curated toolchain, updates to underlying tools like Webpack or Babel might lag, risking compatibility issues with newer Elm features or ecosystem packages, as dependencies are managed indirectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is create-elm-app?

Target Audience

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Bootstrapping new Elm projects quickly with a ready-to-use development server and build pipeline.
Developing Elm applications that require Hot Module Replacement for faster iteration during development.
Creating production-optimized Elm builds with minification and hashed filenames without manual configuration.
Teams or individuals seeking a standardized, low-friction setup for Elm development inspired by create-react-app.
Projects that may eventually need custom build configurations, as they can eject from the default setup at any time.
Learning Elm without the overhead of setting up and maintaining build tools like Webpack and Babel.

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring immediate, fine-grained control over Webpack or Babel configurations without ejecting
Teams already invested in alternative Elm build tools like Parcel or custom Webpack setups
Applications needing server-side rendering or advanced static site generation features
Developers aiming for a minimal, Elm-only toolchain without JavaScript ecosystem dependencies

Pros & Cons

Pros

Zero Configuration Setup

Bootstraps a fully functional Elm project with Webpack, Babel, and dev server pre-configured, allowing developers to start coding immediately without manual tooling setup.

Hot Module Replacement

Enables live reloading during development, overcoming Elm's standard tool limitations with ports and improving iteration speed, as highlighted in the README's comparison to elm-reactor.

Production-Ready Builds

Automatically optimizes output with minification and hashed filenames, ensuring performance and cache efficiency for deployments without additional configuration.

Single Dependency Management

Bundles all necessary build tools into one npm package, simplifying dependency updates and reducing setup complexity, as emphasized in the philosophy section.

Eject for Customization

Provides an escape hatch to eject the configuration for full control over the build process, adapting to specific project needs without lock-in, as stated in the README.

Cons

JavaScript Ecosystem Dependency

Requires Node.js and npm, adding overhead for developers who prefer Elm's native tooling or want to avoid JavaScript build chains, which can complicate pure Elm workflows.

Webpack-Centric Defaults

Locks users into a Webpack-based setup by default, which may not align with teams favoring other bundlers like Parcel or Vite, limiting flexibility until ejection.

Irreversible Eject Process

Ejecting is a one-way operation; once done, you cannot revert to the zero-config setup, forcing long-term maintenance of custom configurations and increasing complexity.

Potential for Stale Dependencies

Frequently Asked Questions

create-elm-app

What is create-elm-app?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

create-elm-app

What is create-elm-app?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?