Advanced Angular CLI Techniques

Introduction

The Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that helps developers create, manage, and deploy Angular applications efficiently. This lesson covers advanced techniques that enhance productivity and streamline workflows.

Custom Angular Schematics

Angular schematics allow developers to create custom code generators. This is useful for creating components, services, and other artifacts quickly.

Creating a Custom Schematic

ng generate schematic my-schematic

Within this schematic, you can define the templates and the logic required to scaffold your components or services.

Note: Custom schematics can be shared as npm packages, making them reusable across projects.

Environment Configuration

Angular's CLI provides an easy way to manage different configurations for different environments (e.g., development, production).

ng build --configuration=production

You can define multiple configurations in angular.json under the configurations property.

Managing Angular Libraries

Angular CLI also supports the creation and management of Angular libraries. Libraries can be shared across multiple applications.

ng generate library my-lib

Libraries can be packaged and published to npm for easy reuse.

Angular CLI Plugins

Plugins extend the functionality of the Angular CLI. You can create custom builders or schematics that can be integrated into the CLI.

ng add

For example, to add a new plugin:

ng add @angular/pwa

FAQ

What is a schematic?

A schematic is a template-based code generation tool in Angular CLI that helps automate repetitive tasks.

Can I create my own CLI commands?

Yes, you can extend the Angular CLI by creating custom builders and schematics.

How do I update my Angular project using CLI?

You can use ng update to update your Angular dependencies to their latest versions.