How do I add custom CSS or styling to an app built with electron-template?

You can include CSS files via the ClojureScript build process or use inline styles with Reagent. The template doesn't provide pre-styled components, so you'll need to handle CSS manually or integrate a framework like Bulma through Bower or npm.

Electron-template vs using Electron directly with JavaScript: which is better for performance?

Electron-template adds ClojureScript and tooling overhead, which might slightly increase bundle size and startup time compared to pure JavaScript. However, it offers developer productivity benefits with live reload and structured builds for ClojureScript enthusiasts.

Can I use TypeScript instead of ClojureScript with this template?

No, the template is specifically designed for ClojureScript and Reagent. Switching to TypeScript would require significant changes to the build configuration and codebase, making it impractical without rewriting core parts.

How to update dependencies like Electron or ClojureScript in an electron-template project?

Manually update the version numbers in package.json for npm dependencies and project.clj for ClojureScript, then test thoroughly as changes might break the build workflow or compatibility with the template's defaults.

Is electron-template still actively maintained or supported?

Based on the README and GitHub activity, it appears to be a stable but older project with infrequent updates. Developers should check for forks or community patches to ensure compatibility with newer Electron versions.

Open-Awesome

electron-template

MITJavaScript

A Leiningen template for creating Electron applications with ClojureScript and Reagent.

GitHub

116 stars11 forks0 contributors

What is electron-template?

Electron is a Leiningen template designed to bootstrap desktop application projects using Electron with ClojureScript and Reagent. It automates project setup, build configurations, and production packaging, solving the complexity of integrating these technologies manually. The template provides a ready-to-use foundation for building cross-platform GUI applications.

Target Audience

ClojureScript developers who want to create desktop applications using Electron and Reagent without spending time on initial tooling and build setup.

Value Proposition

Developers choose this template because it offers a pre-configured, opinionated stack with live-reload development and automated production builds, reducing boilerplate and accelerating the start of new Electron projects.

Overview

A Leiningen template for projects using Electron with ClojureScript.

Use Cases

Best For

Bootstrapping new Electron applications with ClojureScript and Reagent
Developing cross-platform desktop apps with live code reloading
Creating installable binaries for macOS and Windows from ClojureScript code
Managing front-end and Node dependencies in a unified ClojureScript project
Rapid prototyping of desktop interfaces using Reagent components
Ensuring dependency currency in ClojureScript-based Electron projects

Not Ideal For

Projects targeting users with limited disk space, as Electron apps bundled with ClojureScript tooling can result in large executable sizes.
Teams accustomed to JavaScript/TypeScript ecosystems who prefer not to adopt ClojureScript or Reagent for desktop development.
Applications requiring integration with modern front-end build tools like Webpack or Vite, as the template relies on older Grunt and Bower setups.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Live Development Workflow

Figwheel integration enables live code reloading during development, allowing rapid iteration as mentioned in the README for faster debugging and testing.

Cross-Platform Packaging

Automatically generates platform-specific binaries for macOS (.app) and Windows (.exe), with options for installers, streamlining deployment without manual configuration.

Integrated Dependency Management

Supports both Bower for front-end libraries and npm for Node.js dependencies, providing a unified approach to handling external packages in the project.

Convention Over Configuration

As a Leiningen template, it offers sensible defaults and a structured project layout, reducing boilerplate and initial setup time for ClojureScript developers.

Cons

Deprecated Tooling Reliance

Uses Bower for front-end dependencies, which is largely outdated and may cause compatibility issues with modern libraries, as acknowledged by its declining community support.

Framework and Language Lock-in

Heavily tied to ClojureScript and Reagent, making it inflexible for teams wanting to use other frameworks like vanilla React or Vue without significant modifications.

Based on Older Codebase

Derived from the cuttle project from 2015, which might not incorporate latest Electron or ClojureScript best practices, risking obsolescence and security vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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