Using npm to create JavaScript icon libraries
Blog post from LogRocket
The article provides a comprehensive guide on creating and publishing a JavaScript icon library using Node Package Manager (npm), along with tooling and practices to optimize SVG icons for use in modern web applications. It begins by detailing initial setup requirements, including Node and npm account setup, and emphasizes the importance of selecting and registering a unique package name early. The guide walks through creating a package directory, setting up version control with Git and GitHub, and choosing an appropriate license. It explains the process of creating and exporting SVG icons from Figma, discusses optimization techniques using svgo, and highlights the benefits of separating solid and outline icons for better performance. The article further outlines the steps for transforming SVGs into React components using svgr and packaging them with Rollup, adding TypeScript support to ensure component reusability across projects. It also covers testing, building, and publishing the package to npm, including setting up automated scripts for efficiency. Additionally, the guide explores the use of SVG sprites and CDNs for broader accessibility and concludes by underscoring the importance of frontend application monitoring with tools like LogRocket to ensure optimal user experience as applications grow in complexity.