Sass, Less, and SCSS
IntelliJ IDEA integrates with compilers that translate Sass, Less, and SCSS code into CSS. To use a compiler in IntelliJ IDEA, you need to configure it as a File Watcher based on the relevant predefined template.
Before you start
Make sure you have Node.js on your computer.
Install and enable the File Watchers plugin on the Settings/Preferences | Plugins page, tab Marketplace, as described in Installing plugins from JetBrains repository.
Make sure the Less or Sass required plugin is enabled on the Settings/Preferences | Plugins page, tab Installed, see Managing plugins for details.
Installing Sass/SCSS
In the embedded Terminal (Alt+F12) , type:
npm install -g sassLearn more from the Sass official website.
You can also install the sass package on the Node.js and NPM page as described in npm, pnpm, and Yarn.
Installing Less
In the embedded Terminal (Alt+F12) , type:
npm install --global lessLearn more from the Less official website.
You can also install the less package on the Node.js and NPM page as described in npm, pnpm, and Yarn.
Compiling your code into CSS
To compile your code automatically, you need to configure a Sass, Less, or SCSS File Watcher which will track changes to your files and run the compiler.
When you open a file, IntelliJ IDEA checks whether an applicable File Watcher is available in the current project. If such File Watcher is configured but disabled, IntelliJ IDEA displays a popup that informs you about the configured File Watcher and suggests to enable it.
If an applicable File Watcher is configured and enabled in the current project, IntelliJ IDEA starts the compiler automatically upon the event specified in the New Watcher dialog.
If the Auto-save edited files to trigger the watcher checkbox is selected, the File Watcher is invoked as soon as any changes are made to the source code.
If the Auto-save edited files to trigger the watcher checkbox is cleared, the File Watcher is started upon save (, Ctrl+S) or when you move focus from IntelliJ IDEA (upon frame deactivation).
Learn more from File Watchers.
IntelliJ IDEA creates a separate file with the generated output. The file has the name of the source Sass, Less, or SCSS file and the extension .css. The location of the generated files is defined in the Output paths to refresh field of the New Watcher dialog. However, in the Project Tree, they are shown under the source file which is now displayed as a node.
Create a File Watcher
In the Settings/Preferences dialog Ctrl+Alt+S, click File Watchers under Tools. The File Watchers page that opens shows the list of already configured File Watchers.
Click
or press Alt+Insert. Depending on the tool you are going to use, choose the Less, Sass, or SCSS predefined template from the list.In the Program field, specify the path to the compiler archive depending on the chosen predefined template.
lessc for Less.
sass for Sass/SCSS.
If you followed the standard installation procedure with npm, IntelliJ IDEA locates the required files itself and fills in the field automatically. Otherwise, type the path manually or click
and choose the file location in the dialog that opens.Proceed as described in File Watchers.
Configuring syntax highlighting
You can configure Less/Sass/SCSS-aware syntax highlighting according to your preferences and habits.
In the Settings/Preferences dialog Ctrl+Alt+S, go to .
Select the color scheme, accept the highlighting settings inherited from the defaults or customize them as described in Colors and fonts.