Question 1

Rework vs PostCSS – which is better for custom CSS processing?

Accepted Answer

Rework is leaner and more focused on AST manipulation with a minimal core, ideal for bespoke transformations, while PostCSS has a larger, more active ecosystem and better tooling integration. Choose Rework if you prefer a lightweight, plugin-first approach without preset features.

Question 2

How to create a custom plugin in Rework?

Accepted Answer

A plugin is a function that receives the stylesheet AST and Rework instance; you can modify nodes directly using the `css` library's AST structure. For example, iterate through rules to add prefixes or transform values, then chain it with `.use()` in your pipeline.

Question 3

Is Rework still maintained and updated?

Accepted Answer

The last significant updates were around 2014, and while it's stable, it lacks frequent releases compared to newer tools. Check the GitHub repository for recent activity, but be prepared for potential maintenance gaps in plugins.

Question 4

Can Rework handle CSS custom properties or variables?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only via plugins like `rework-vars`, which implements W3C-style variables. You'll need to install and configure it separately, as Rework doesn't support custom properties natively out of the box.

Question 5

How does Rework integrate with build tools like Gulp or Webpack?

Accepted Answer

It can be used as a middleware or processor in build scripts; for Webpack, you might need a custom loader or use it in post-processing steps. Integration isn't seamless and often requires additional setup compared to dedicated CSS loaders.

Question 6

What are the performance implications of using multiple Rework plugins?

Accepted Answer

Performance depends on plugin complexity, as each processes the AST sequentially. Heavy transformations or many plugins can slow down builds, so optimize by ordering plugins efficiently and avoiding redundant operations.

Rework

Overview

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