Generating code with Angular schematics

Go beyond the standard Angular CLI. Learn how to build your own powerful, reusable code generators with Schematics.

#1about 3 minutes

Understanding the problems that schematics solve

Schematics automate repetitive tasks like scaffolding components, configuring libraries, and migrating breaking changes in Angular projects.

#2about 3 minutes

Automating library setup and configuration with ng add

The `ng add` command uses schematics to automatically install dependencies, update configuration files, and register modules for new libraries.

#3about 1 minute

Managing breaking changes automatically with ng update

The `ng update` command leverages schematics to apply necessary code modifications, ensuring your application remains compatible with new library versions.

#4about 2 minutes

Using schematics outside of the Angular framework

Although developed by the Angular team, the schematics library is open-source and can be used to automate tasks in any project, including React.

#5about 3 minutes

How schematics ensure safe and atomic file updates

Schematics perform operations on a virtual file system, ensuring that changes are only applied to the actual file system if the entire process succeeds without errors.

#6about 2 minutes

Getting started by creating a new schematic collection

Install the schematics CLI globally and use the `schematics blank` command to scaffold a new collection for your custom scripts.

#7about 3 minutes

Understanding the core concepts: Tree, Rule, and Rule Factory

Learn about the fundamental building blocks of schematics, including the Tree for the file system state, a Rule for transformations, and a Rule Factory.

#8about 1 minute

Passing options and logging messages in your scripts

Pass command-line arguments as options to your schematic's outer function and use the context logger to print information to the console.

#9about 2 minutes

Performing basic file operations like create and rename

Use the `tree.create` method to generate new files and `tree.rename` to move or rename existing files within the virtual file system.

#10about 2 minutes

Composing multiple rules with the chain utility

Use the `chain` utility to execute multiple rules sequentially and leverage `schematic` or `externalSchematic` to call other schematics from within your own.

#11about 7 minutes

Generating dynamic files using templates and sources

Create reusable file templates with interpolation and conditional logic, then apply them using a source, a template rule, and the `mergeWith` function.

#12about 3 minutes