How to Use the Command 'vue build' (with Examples)

The vue build command is a subcommand provided by @vue/cli and @vue/cli-service-global, designed to facilitate quick prototyping in Vue.js applications. This tool offers a streamline approach to building JavaScript or Vue files in production mode with minimal configuration. By rapidly compiling Vue code, developers can more easily experiment with design and functionality, pushing the boundaries of traditional development timelines and resources. With vue build, you can seamlessly transform your prototyped components or entire applications into production-ready code without the overhead of a comprehensive setup process.

Use Case: Build a .js or .vue File in Production Mode with Zero Config

Code:

vue build filename

Motivation:

Often in the development lifecycle, especially during the initial phases or during proof-of-concept sessions, developers need to quickly test hypotheses or demonstrate features without dedicating extensive time to setting up configurations and builds. The vue build command provides an effortless way to compile a given Vue or JavaScript file into production-grade code, helping developers focus more on coding and testing rather than configuration overhead. By allowing this level of simplicity and ease, it encourages iterative testing and fast modifications.

Explanation:

• vue: This is the command line interface for Vue.js, a progressive JavaScript framework used for building user interfaces, particularly single-page applications. Running vue followed by a subcommand allows you to execute various tasks related to Vue project development.

• build: This subcommand within the Vue CLI targets the building of a project. In this context, it specifies that the command should compile the given file into a production-ready version.

• filename: In this context, filename represents the HTML, JS, or Vue file you seek to compile. It is a placeholder for your actual file name – for instance, App.vue. By specifying the specific file intended for a quick build, you enable the CLI to transpile the resource using webpack and other underlying optimizations immediately, without any substantial additional configuration needed.

Example Output:

When you run vue build filename, you will see a sequence of logs indicating the building process, including the generation of a bundled JavaScript file. This output will summarize the building process, ending with a successful build confirmation and the volume of the generated production-ready asset. You may see output similar to the following:

⠋ Building for production...
⠙ Building for production...98% after emitting CopyPlugin

  File                        Size                                    Gzipped

  dist/js/app.fa4c6.js      45.31 kb                                16.13 kb

Build complete.

Conclusion:

The vue build command is a powerful tool for developers seeking to optimize their workflows, enabling the rapid building of files in production mode with minimal configuration and immediate results. By understanding the use cases and benefits, developers can leverage this command to accelerate their development processes, providing an efficient path to iterate on prototypes and demonstrating feasibility without the friction of complex build environments. Whether working on a new feature or conceptualizing a new idea, this tool effectively supports a modern development cadence, responding adaptively to the evolving needs of projects.