clsx vs style-loader vs classnames vs classcat
CSS Class Management Libraries Comparison
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clsxstyle-loaderclassnamesclasscat
What's CSS Class Management Libraries?

CSS class management libraries help developers dynamically manage and apply CSS classes to HTML elements based on certain conditions. They simplify the process of toggling classes, combining multiple classes, and ensuring that the correct classes are applied without cluttering the code. These libraries enhance the maintainability and readability of the code by providing a more structured approach to class management, especially in complex applications where conditional styling is necessary.

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clsx32,824,5028,9198.55 kB13a year agoMIT
style-loader16,059,4811,66358.9 kB7a year agoMIT
classnames15,633,87817,71423.6 kB6a year agoMIT
classcat1,239,6709055.19 kB1a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: clsx vs style-loader vs classnames vs classcat

Performance

  • clsx:

    clsx is optimized for performance and is smaller than classnames. It offers a minimalistic approach to class management, ensuring that the performance impact is negligible even in larger applications.

  • style-loader:

    style-loader's performance is dependent on the build process and how styles are injected. While it is efficient for development, it may not be the best choice for production environments where CSS should be precompiled and served statically.

  • classnames:

    classnames is relatively lightweight but can introduce some overhead when managing a large number of classes. However, its performance is generally acceptable for most applications, especially when used judiciously in complex components.

  • classcat:

    classcat is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for performance-sensitive applications. It minimizes overhead by allowing developers to toggle classes with simple boolean checks, resulting in faster execution and less memory usage.

Ease of Use

  • clsx:

    clsx has a similar API to classnames but is even more concise. It is designed to be easy to use, with a focus on reducing boilerplate code while maintaining clarity in class management.

  • style-loader:

    style-loader is straightforward to integrate into Webpack projects, but it requires some understanding of how Webpack handles CSS. While the setup is simple, developers must be familiar with module bundling concepts.

  • classnames:

    classnames is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice among developers. Its syntax is clear and concise, allowing for quick conditional class management without confusion.

  • classcat:

    classcat provides a very intuitive API, making it easy to use for developers of all skill levels. Its syntax is straightforward, allowing for quick implementation without a steep learning curve.

Community Support

  • clsx:

    clsx is gaining popularity and has a growing community. While it may not have as extensive resources as classnames, it is well-documented and supported by its maintainers.

  • style-loader:

    style-loader benefits from being part of the Webpack ecosystem, which has a vast community. There are plenty of resources available for troubleshooting and best practices, making it a reliable choice.

  • classnames:

    classnames has a large and active community, making it easy to find resources, tutorials, and support. Its widespread use means that many developers are familiar with it, enhancing collaboration and troubleshooting.

  • classcat:

    classcat has a smaller community compared to classnames and clsx, which may result in fewer resources and examples available. However, it is still maintained and has a dedicated user base.

Flexibility

  • clsx:

    clsx is similar to classnames in terms of flexibility but is designed to be more concise. It allows for conditional class application with a focus on reducing complexity.

  • style-loader:

    style-loader is less about class management and more about style injection. It provides flexibility in how styles are applied but is not focused on class name manipulation.

  • classnames:

    classnames provides flexibility by allowing multiple class names to be combined conditionally. It supports various input types, making it versatile for different use cases.

  • classcat:

    classcat offers flexibility in how classes are applied, allowing for dynamic toggling based on conditions. It is useful for scenarios where class management needs to be highly adaptable.

Integration

  • clsx:

    clsx is designed to integrate smoothly with modern JavaScript frameworks. Its minimal footprint allows for easy adoption in existing projects without significant refactoring.

  • style-loader:

    style-loader is specifically designed for use with Webpack, making it ideal for projects that utilize this build tool. Its integration is straightforward but may require additional configuration for optimal use.

  • classnames:

    classnames integrates seamlessly with various frameworks and libraries, making it a versatile choice for React, Vue, and others. Its compatibility with existing codebases is a significant advantage.

  • classcat:

    classcat can be easily integrated into any project without dependencies, making it a good choice for lightweight applications or those that do not use a build system.

How to Choose: clsx vs style-loader vs classnames vs classcat
  • clsx:

    Opt for clsx if you want a modern, lightweight alternative to classnames that offers similar functionality but with a smaller footprint. It is particularly useful for projects that prioritize performance and simplicity without sacrificing features.

  • style-loader:

    Use style-loader if you are working with Webpack and need to inject CSS into the DOM dynamically. It's essential for projects that require styles to be loaded on-the-fly and is best suited for development environments where hot module replacement is beneficial.

  • classnames:

    Select classnames if you need a widely-used and well-supported library that provides a straightforward way to conditionally join class names. It's great for projects that require a balance between functionality and ease of use, especially if you are already familiar with its syntax.

  • classcat:

    Choose classcat if you prefer a lightweight solution that offers a simple API for toggling classes based on boolean values. It is ideal for projects where performance is critical, and you want to avoid the overhead of larger libraries.

Similar Npm Packages to clsx

clsx is a utility for constructing className strings conditionally in JavaScript applications, particularly in React. It provides a simple and efficient way to combine class names based on certain conditions, making it easier to manage dynamic class names in your components. With its lightweight design and straightforward API, clsx is a popular choice among developers looking for a minimalistic solution to handle class name manipulation.

One of the primary alternatives to clsx is classnames. This library serves a similar purpose, allowing developers to conditionally join class names together. classnames has been widely used in the React community for years and offers a familiar API for those who have worked with it before. While both libraries achieve the same goal, classnames has a slightly larger footprint and may include more features than necessary for some projects.

When choosing between clsx and classnames, developers often consider factors such as bundle size, performance, and ease of use. clsx is typically favored for its minimalistic approach and smaller size, while classnames may be preferred by those who need additional features or are already accustomed to its API.

To see how clsx compares with classnames, check out the comparison: Comparing classnames vs clsx.

Similar Npm Packages to classnames

classnames is a popular utility for conditionally joining class names together in JavaScript applications, particularly in React. It simplifies the process of dynamically setting class names based on certain conditions, making it easier to manage styles in a clean and readable way. With classnames, developers can easily combine static and dynamic class names, ensuring that the right classes are applied based on the component's state or props.

One notable alternative to classnames is clsx. clsx is a tiny utility that serves a similar purpose, allowing developers to conditionally combine class names. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, with a minimal API that makes it easy to use. While both classnames and clsx provide similar functionality, clsx is often favored for its smaller bundle size and performance optimizations, especially in projects where minimizing file size is a priority.

For a detailed comparison of classnames and clsx, you can visit: Comparing classnames vs clsx.

Similar Npm Packages to classcat

classcat is a lightweight utility for conditionally joining class names together in JavaScript applications, particularly in React. It simplifies the process of dynamically applying CSS classes based on certain conditions, making it easier to manage styles in a clean and readable way. While classcat is an excellent choice for handling class names, there are several alternatives available in the ecosystem. Here are a few notable ones:

  • classnames is one of the most popular libraries for conditionally joining class names. It allows developers to easily combine class names based on various conditions, such as boolean values or arrays. With its simple API, classnames has become a go-to solution for many React developers looking to manage CSS classes dynamically. Its widespread adoption and robust feature set make it a reliable choice for projects of all sizes.
  • clsx is a tiny utility for constructing className strings conditionally. It is similar to classnames but is designed to be even more lightweight and efficient. clsx supports various input types, including strings, arrays, and objects, allowing for flexible class name management. If you're looking for a minimalistic solution that provides excellent performance without sacrificing functionality, clsx is a great alternative to consider.
  • style-loader is a different approach to managing styles in web applications. It injects CSS into the DOM using JavaScript, allowing for dynamic style changes at runtime. While it doesn't directly handle class name management like the other libraries mentioned, it is often used in conjunction with CSS modules or other styling solutions to facilitate dynamic styling in applications. If you need to manage styles dynamically and are working with Webpack, style-loader can be a valuable addition to your toolset.

To see how classcat compares with classnames, clsx, and style-loader, check out the comparison: Comparing classcat vs classnames vs clsx vs style-loader.

README for clsx

clsx CI codecov licenses

A tiny (239B) utility for constructing className strings conditionally.
Also serves as a faster & smaller drop-in replacement for the classnames module.

This module is available in three formats:

  • ES Module: dist/clsx.mjs
  • CommonJS: dist/clsx.js
  • UMD: dist/clsx.min.js

Install

$ npm install --save clsx

Usage

import clsx from 'clsx';
// or
import { clsx } from 'clsx';

// Strings (variadic)
clsx('foo', true && 'bar', 'baz');
//=> 'foo bar baz'

// Objects
clsx({ foo:true, bar:false, baz:isTrue() });
//=> 'foo baz'

// Objects (variadic)
clsx({ foo:true }, { bar:false }, null, { '--foobar':'hello' });
//=> 'foo --foobar'

// Arrays
clsx(['foo', 0, false, 'bar']);
//=> 'foo bar'

// Arrays (variadic)
clsx(['foo'], ['', 0, false, 'bar'], [['baz', [['hello'], 'there']]]);
//=> 'foo bar baz hello there'

// Kitchen sink (with nesting)
clsx('foo', [1 && 'bar', { baz:false, bat:null }, ['hello', ['world']]], 'cya');
//=> 'foo bar hello world cya'

API

clsx(...input)

Returns: String

input

Type: Mixed

The clsx function can take any number of arguments, each of which can be an Object, Array, Boolean, or String.

Important: Any falsey values are discarded!
Standalone Boolean values are discarded as well.

clsx(true, false, '', null, undefined, 0, NaN);
//=> ''

Modes

There are multiple "versions" of clsx available, which allows you to bring only the functionality you need!

clsx

Size (gzip): 239 bytes
Availability: CommonJS, ES Module, UMD

The default clsx module; see API for info.

import { clsx } from 'clsx';
// or
import clsx from 'clsx';

clsx/lite

Size (gzip): 140 bytes
Availability: CommonJS, ES Module
CAUTION: Accepts ONLY string arguments!

Ideal for applications that only use the string-builder pattern.

Any non-string arguments are ignored!

import { clsx } from 'clsx/lite';
// or
import clsx from 'clsx/lite';

// string
clsx('hello', true && 'foo', false && 'bar');
// => "hello foo"

// NOTE: Any non-string input(s) ignored
clsx({ foo: true });
//=> ""

Benchmarks

For snapshots of cross-browser results, check out the bench directory~!

Support

All versions of Node.js are supported.

All browsers that support Array.isArray are supported (IE9+).

Note: For IE8 support and older, please install clsx@1.0.x and beware of #17.

Tailwind Support

Here some additional (optional) steps to enable classes autocompletion using clsx with Tailwind CSS.

Visual Studio Code

  1. Install the "Tailwind CSS IntelliSense" Visual Studio Code extension

  2. Add the following to your settings.json:

 {
  "tailwindCSS.experimental.classRegex": [
    ["clsx\\(([^)]*)\\)", "(?:'|\"|`)([^']*)(?:'|\"|`)"]
  ]
 }

You may find the clsx/lite module useful within Tailwind contexts. This is especially true if/when your application only composes classes in this pattern:

clsx('text-base', props.active && 'text-primary', props.className);

Related

  • obj-str - A smaller (96B) and similiar utility that only works with Objects.

License

MIT © Luke Edwards

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