How can I run a specific script in Webflow using npm? I'm new to dependencies and would appreciate any guidance. Thank you!
TL;DR
- Create a local project with
npm init, install needed packages, and define your script inpackage.json. - Run the script using
npm run [script-name]and embed the generated output into Webflow via Custom Code or external hosting.
To run a specific script in Webflow using npm, you’ll need to understand that Webflow itself doesn’t natively run npm packages—you’ll be using a local development environment alongside Webflow.
Here’s how to run an npm script that affects your Webflow project, such as a build tool or asset generator.
1. Set Up a Local Project with npm
- Create a local folder where you’ll manage external code used in your Webflow project.
- Open a terminal and run
npm init -yto generate apackage.jsonfile. - This file will manage your dependencies and scripts.
2. Install the Necessary Package
- Use
npm install [package-name] --save-devto add any needed package. - Example: If using Tailwind CSS with Webflow, install it via
npm install -D tailwindcss.
3. Add a Custom Script to package.json
- Open your
package.jsonfile. - Inside the
"scripts"section, add your desired script. - Example:
"build": "tailwindcss build src/input.css -o dist/output.css"
4. Run the Script via npm
- In your terminal, run
npm run [script-name]: - Example:
npm run build - This executes the command you specified under
"scripts".
5. Use Script Output in Webflow
- Once your script runs, use the generated output (e.g., compiled CSS or JS) by:
- Hosting it through an external service (like GitHub Pages or Netlify) and embedding via
<link>or<script>in Webflow’s Page Settings → Custom Code. - Or embedding generated code directly into Webflow’s Custom Code sections.
6. (Optional) Automate with a Build Tool
- If you're using tools like Vite, Webpack, or Gulp, set them up with npm and define build/output scripts the same way.
- These tools help automate tasks like minifying JS, converting SCSS to CSS, etc.
Summary
To run a script with npm for Webflow, set up a local project with npm init, install your dependencies, define scripts in package.json, run them with npm run [script], and connect the output to Webflow using Custom Code or hosted files. While Webflow doesn’t directly support npm, you can integrate external tools through this workflow.