Vite is a no-bundle JavaScript development server initially designed for Vue single file components but has since evolved to support various frameworks by using native ES module imports during development. Unlike traditional bundlers, it does not bundle files in development, resulting in faster startup times and hot module replacements without the need for browser refreshes. Vite's features include bare module resolving, on-demand compilation, and extensive configuration options, making it suitable for large projects. It supports .tsx, .jsx, and TypeScript files using esbuild for transpilation, and offers asset URL handling and CSS preprocessor support. Vite allows developers to create new projects quickly using the create-vite-app boilerplate and bundles apps for production using Rollup. The tool aims to enhance development workflow and productivity by providing a fast and efficient development server.