Styled-Components Version 5: A New Era of CSS-in-JS
The popular CSS-in-JS library, Styled-Components, has just released its latest version, packed with exciting new features and improvements. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s new and what you can expect from this industry-standard library.
Super Speed
One of the most significant updates in version 5 is the improved performance. The Styled-Components team has always been focused on making their library faster and more efficient, and this latest release is no exception. With a smaller bundle size, faster client-side mounting, and improved server-side rendering, Styled-Components is now one of the fastest CSS-in-JS libraries available.
New Core Stylesheet Engine
The new core stylesheet engine is the driving force behind the improved performance in version 5. Rebuilt from the ground up with a focus on performance and correctness, this new engine has been extensively tested and is ready for use. However, the team is still looking for community feedback, so be sure to try it out and report any issues.
Improvements for StyleSheetManager
The StyleSheetManager has also received some exciting updates in version 5. With the ability to extend stylis, the CSS parser, with plugins, developers can now achieve fully automatic RTL for custom styles. This opens up a world of possibilities for plugin development and makes Styled-Components an even more versatile library.
RTL Support
Speaking of RTL support, version 5 makes it easy to switch your styles from left-to-right to right-to-left. With a simple code block, you can achieve this conversion, thanks to the improved StyleSheetManager.
Getting Started
Upgrading to version 5 is straightforward. Simply run the command npm install styled-components@latest in your terminal, ensuring you’re using the latest version of React and React DOM (version 16.8 or higher).
Supporting the Styled-Components Project
As an industry-standard library, Styled-Components relies on the support of its community to continue growing and improving. If you or your company uses Styled-Components, consider contributing to the OpenCollective to help make the team’s work easier and their expansion faster.
What’s Your Favorite New Feature?
With so many exciting updates in version 5, we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite new feature? Share your thoughts and let’s continue to make Styled-Components an amazing library for CSS-in-JS development.