In modern web applications, the aesthetic appeal is crucial, and one of the key elements that contribute to this is typography. If you're building a Rails 7 application and want to utilize custom fonts, this article will guide you through the process, especially when using JS Bundling with esbuild.
Problem Scenario
When you set up a Rails 7 application and start building your front end, you may encounter challenges with integrating custom fonts. The requirement is simple: enable the use of custom fonts in a Rails application while utilizing the JS bundler esbuild.
Original Code Snippet
Here’s the original code structure that may lead to confusion when trying to implement custom fonts:
# Gemfile
gem 'esbuild', '~> 0.14.0'
# app/javascript/application.js
import "./stylesheets/application.css";
// other JS imports...
The above code doesn't include any specific instructions for loading custom fonts, which can lead to issues.
Step-by-Step Guide to Integrate Custom Fonts
1. Install esbuild
First, ensure you have esbuild installed in your Rails application. If you haven’t already set it up, run the following command:
bundle add esbuild
After installing the gem, you should run the installer to create the necessary files:
rails javascript:install:esbuild
2. Create a Directory for Fonts
Create a fonts directory within your app/assets directory. This is where you will store your custom font files (e.g., .woff, .woff2, .ttf).
mkdir -p app/assets/fonts
3. Add Font Files
Place your font files in the app/assets/fonts directory. For instance, if you're using the "Roboto" font, your directory structure should look like this:
app/
└── assets/
└── fonts/
├── Roboto-Regular.woff2
├── Roboto-Bold.woff2
4. Update Your CSS
Next, create or update your CSS file (e.g., app/assets/stylesheets/application.css) to include the @font-face rule. Here’s how you can do it:
/* app/assets/stylesheets/application.css */
@font-face {
font-family: 'Roboto';
src: url('../fonts/Roboto-Regular.woff2') format('woff2'),
url('../fonts/Roboto-Bold.woff2') format('woff2');
font-weight: normal;
font-style: normal;
}
body {
font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
}
This code snippet tells the browser where to find the font files and sets the Roboto font as the default font for the body of the document.
5. Import Your CSS File
Now, make sure to import your CSS file in the main JavaScript pack file (if not already included):
// app/javascript/application.js
import "./stylesheets/application.css";
// other JS imports...
6. Compile the Assets
Finally, compile your assets using esbuild. This can be done with the following command:
bin/dev
Analysis and Explanation
By following the steps above, you successfully integrate custom fonts into your Rails 7 application using JS Bundling with esbuild. The key points to note are:
- Font files need to be correctly referenced in the CSS using the
url()function. - Ensure that the font files are in the correct directory so that the paths are accurate.
- The use of the
@font-facerule is essential for defining how custom fonts are loaded and used throughout your application.
Practical Example
Imagine you’re designing a blog and you want to maintain a consistent aesthetic throughout. By utilizing custom fonts like "Roboto" or "Open Sans", you can significantly enhance your design. Having a clean and professional font can help retain readers' attention and create an engaging user experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, integrating custom fonts in a Rails 7 application using esbuild for JS Bundling is straightforward when following the outlined steps. With just a few additions to your asset pipeline and CSS, you can elevate the typography of your web application and make it visually appealing.
Additional Resources
By leveraging these resources, you can further explore and refine your implementation of custom fonts in Rails applications. Happy coding!
