Pattern Lab Node v2.6.1

Plugins

This is a CRAZY exciting release in the world of Pattern Lab Node. We've finally implemented support to hook into the frontend plugin architecture @dmolsen created for PL 2. Backend plugins are now also possible. I've documented plugins best I can in the wiki and released one plugin for people to review. Give that a shot and report any issues you encounter. I cannot wait to see what sort of plugins you create! Read more about plugins below.

• Installing Plugins
• Creating Plugins
• Official and Community Plugins

On top of all this comes a whole slew of bug fixes and littler improvements, as well as Hacktoberfest spikes across documentation and unit tests. Thanks to everyone that helped out, old and new.

Hidden Pattern Inclusion

A notable syntax change was made to hidden pattern template inclusion.
Prior to this release, to include a hidden pattern, one would have to do the following:

{{> atoms-_icon }}

This was off-spec. Now these patterns may be directly included:

{{> atoms-icon }}

A number of bugs have piled up while I got buried and dug out of this release. I look forward to releasing smaller fixes now that this push is complete.

CHANGELOG

from 2.6.0-alpha

• ADD: Basic support for frontend and backend plugins | @bmuenzenmeyer
  • Wiki: https://github.com/pattern-lab/patternlab-node/wiki/Creating-Plugins
  • First Plugin / Reference Plugin: Plugin Node Tab
• ADD: Add ability to beautify code pane output | @gael-boyenval
• FIX: defaultPattern is not rendering on styleguide view | @bmuenzenmeyer
• FIX: styleModifiers are not included in pseudo patterns | @bmuenzenmeyer
• FIX: Alter postinstall to support editions being installed as dependencies | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Make listStarterkits return an array of repo objects | @raphaelokon
• CHG: Make the absence of source/_data/listitems.json a warning instead of an error | @bmuenzenmeyer

Hacktoberfest!

• ADD: Add tap support for unit tests | @dbradf
• ADD: Added patternlab-pattern-before-data-merge event | @DavidEmanuelsen
• ADD: Allow engines to control how output files' code is formatted | @geoffp
• FIX: Fix hidden pattern references across all engines | @geoffp
  • SYNTAX CHANGE
    • This means that the previous workaround to include a hidden pattern: {{> atoms-_icon }} may now be directly included: {{> atoms-icon }}
• CHG: Better Handle Errors Thrown When Looking for a Deleted/Missing Pattern | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert lineage_hunter_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert list_item_hunter_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert markdown_parser_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert object_factory_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert parameter_hunter_tests.js to use tap/tape to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert pattern_assembler_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert pattern_engines_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG:
  Convert patternlab_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG:
  Convert pseudopattern_hunter_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG:
  Convert style_modifier_hunter_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG:
  Convert ui_builder_tests.js to use tap/tape | @bmuenzenmeyer
• CHG: Convert engine_handlebars_tests.js to use tape | @alexbenic
• CHG: Convert engine_mustache_tests.js to use tape
  | @alexbenic
• CHG: Convert engine_twig_tests.js to use tape | @alexbenic
• CHG: Convert engine_underscore_tests.js to use tape | @alexbenic
• CHG: Add proper jsdoc comments to core/lib/starterkit_manager.js | @spezzino
• CHG: Add proper jsdoc comments to core/lib/pattern_exporter.js | @spezzino
• CHG: Add proper jsdoc comments to core/lib/style_modifier_hunter.js | @spezzino
• CHG: Add proper jsdoc comments to core/lib/plugin_manager.js | @spezzino
• DEL: Removed Node 5 from Travis builds per my understanding of https://github.com/nodejs/LTS | @bmuenzenmeyer
• DEL: Removed nodeunit as a devDependency | @bmuenzenmeyer
• DEL: Grunt no longer needed as a devDependency | @bmuenzenmeyer

UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the standard upgrade instructions.

EDITIONS

It's now suggested to use an edition with Pattern Lab Node. Editions package up core, shared frontend assets, and a means to communicate with the API.

• Edition Node Gulp
• Edition Node Grunt - less tested

UNIT TESTS/ASSERTIONS

3 unit tests/assertions were added this release for a total of 370

ROADMAP

Keep an eye on the milestones for a clearer understanding of where the project is going in the next few releases.

SUPPORT PATTERN LAB NODE

I've set up a Patreon account to directly support continued work on the Pattern Lab Node project.

I need help and support to make Pattern Lab Node a sustained success. I devote a lot of free time and would-be sleep to make the project what it is, but nothing compares to hearing back from users. It means the world to me when people find value in Pattern Lab Node. I am ridiculously humbled to hear and see what you all build with it.

If you find yourself here and balk and the idea of supporting open source software monetarily - I understand. Carry on, but please do share what you build - we all learn more together.

• Pattern Lab on Patreon

The Pattern Lab Node Team

Follow Brian on Twitter | Follow Geoff on Twitter | Follow Raphael on Twitter