Vue CLI and Vite setup - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Vue CLI and Vite setup

Choose Setup Tool

↓

Vue CLI

↓

Run CLI

↓

Project Created

↓

Install Dependencies

↓

Start Dev Server

↓

Open Browser -> See App

This flow shows choosing between Vue CLI or Vite, running commands to create the project, installing dependencies, starting the server, and viewing the app in the browser.

Execution Sample

Vue

npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue
cd my-vue-app
npm install
npm run dev

This code creates a new Vue project using Vite, installs dependencies, and starts the development server.

Execution Table

Step	Command Run	Action	Result	Output
1	npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue	Create project folder and files	Project folder 'my-vue-app' created with Vue template	Success message with instructions
2	cd my-vue-app	Change directory	Inside project folder	No output
3	npm install	Install dependencies	Dependencies installed in node_modules	List of installed packages
4	npm run dev	Start dev server	Dev server running on localhost:5173	Server URL and ready message
5	Open browser at localhost:5173	View app	Vue app loads in browser	Default Vue welcome page displayed
6	Exit	Stop server or close terminal	Dev server stops	No output

💡 Dev server stops when user exits or closes terminal

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
Project Folder	None	my-vue-app created	my-vue-app with node_modules	my-vue-app with running server	my-vue-app with server stopped
Dependencies	None	None	Installed	Installed	Installed
Dev Server	Off	Off	Off	Running	Off

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we run 'npm install' after creating the project?

Because the project files are created but dependencies are not yet downloaded. 'npm install' downloads and sets up all needed packages as shown in execution_table step 3.

What happens if you open the browser before running 'npm run dev'?

The app won't load because the development server is not running yet. The server starts only after step 4, so the browser needs the server running to show the app.

Why do we choose between Vue CLI and Vite at the start?

Vue CLI and Vite are two different tools to create Vue projects. Choosing one decides the commands and setup flow, as shown in the concept_flow diagram.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the state of the dev server after step 3?

A Starting

B Running

C Off

D Stopped

💡 Hint

Check the 'Dev Server' variable in variable_tracker after step 3

At which step does the project folder get created?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Project Folder' variable in variable_tracker and execution_table step 1

If you skip 'npm install', what will happen when you run 'npm run dev'?

A Dev server runs normally

B Error due to missing dependencies

C Project folder is deleted

D Browser opens automatically

💡 Hint

Consider what 'npm install' does in execution_table step 3 and its effect on dependencies

Concept Snapshot

Vue CLI and Vite setup:
1. Choose Vue CLI or Vite to create your project.
2. Run the create command (e.g., 'npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue').
3. Change into project folder and run 'npm install' to get dependencies.
4. Start dev server with 'npm run dev'.
5. Open browser at localhost to see your Vue app running.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to set up a Vue project using Vue CLI or Vite. First, you pick which tool to use. Then you run commands to create the project folder and files. After that, you install dependencies with 'npm install'. Next, you start the development server with 'npm run dev'. Finally, you open your browser to see the Vue app running. The variable tracker shows how the project folder, dependencies, and dev server state change step-by-step. Key moments explain why each step is important. The quiz tests your understanding of the setup process.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Vue CLI and Vite in Vue development?

easy

A. To quickly create and manage Vue projects with build tools

B. To write Vue components without JavaScript

C. To replace Vue Router for navigation

D. To convert Vue code into plain HTML only

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Vue CLI and Vite roles

   Both Vue CLI and Vite are tools to start Vue projects easily and provide build and development features.

2. Step 2: Identify their main purpose

   They help set up projects quickly with live reload and bundling, not replacing Vue Router or removing JavaScript.

3. Final Answer:

   To quickly create and manage Vue projects with build tools -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Vue CLI and Vite purpose = C [OK]

Hint: Think: tools to start and build Vue apps fast [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Vue CLI with Vue Router
• Thinking Vite removes JavaScript
• Believing these tools only output HTML

2. Which command correctly creates a new Vue project using Vite?

easy

A. vue create my-vue-app

B. npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue

C. npm install vite vue

D. vite new project vue

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Vite project creation syntax

   The official way to create a Vue project with Vite is using npm create vite@latest with the --template vue flag.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue matches this syntax. vue create my-vue-app is Vue CLI syntax. Options C and D are incorrect commands.

3. Final Answer:

   npm create vite@latest my-vue-app -- --template vue -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Vite create command = B [OK]

Hint: Vite uses 'npm create vite@latest' with template flag [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'vue create' for Vite projects
• Trying to install Vite and Vue separately to create project
• Using invalid commands like 'vite new'

3. Given this command run in a terminal: vue create my-app, what will happen?

medium

A. It installs Vue globally on the system

B. It instantly creates a Vue project without prompts

C. It starts an interactive setup to create a Vue project

D. It runs the Vue development server immediately

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand 'vue create' command behavior

   The vue create command from Vue CLI launches an interactive prompt to select project options.

2. Step 2: Analyze other options

   It does not create instantly without prompts, nor does it install Vue globally or start the server immediately.

3. Final Answer:

   It starts an interactive setup to create a Vue project -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   vue create = interactive setup [OK]

Hint: vue create prompts you to choose project options [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it creates project instantly
• Confusing with npm install commands
• Expecting it to start the server automatically

4. You run npm run dev in a Vite project but get an error saying 'command not found'. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to run npm install to install dependencies

B. You need to use vue serve instead

C. The dev script is only for Vue CLI projects

D. You must run vite build before npm run dev

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand npm scripts and dependencies

   The npm run dev command runs the dev server script defined in package.json. If dependencies are missing, the script may fail.

2. Step 2: Identify cause of 'command not found'

   Not running npm install means dependencies like Vite are missing, causing the error.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to run npm install to install dependencies -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing dependencies cause 'command not found' [OK]

Hint: Always run npm install before npm run dev [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Vue CLI commands in Vite projects
• Trying to build before dev without install
• Assuming dev script is only for Vue CLI

5. You want to switch a Vue project from Vue CLI to Vite. Which step is essential to start this migration?

hard

A. Just change the start script in package.json to use Vite

B. Run vue upgrade vite to convert automatically

C. Replace vue.config.js with vite.config.js without changing files

D. Create a new Vite project and move your source files into it

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand migration approach

   Vue CLI and Vite have different setups. The safest way is to create a new Vite project and move your source code there.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   There is no automatic vue upgrade vite command. Simply replacing config files or scripts won't work due to different build systems.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a new Vite project and move your source files into it -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Migration starts with new Vite project + source move [OK]

Hint: Start fresh Vite project, then copy your code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting automatic conversion commands
• Only changing config files without new setup
• Assuming changing scripts is enough