dotlessCore

dotlessCore is an open-source library that implements the LESS CSS preprocessor for .NET Core applications. It enables server-side compilation of LESS stylesheets into standard CSS, allowing developers to manage styling with LESS features within ASP.NET Core, Blazor, and other .NET Core-based frameworks.

Originating as a port of the original dotless project, dotlessCore adapts the core LESS parser and compiler to the .NET Core runtime. The library is typically distributed via NuGet and is maintained by the community, with updates aimed at compatibility with new .NET Core versions and tooling.

Core features include support for variables, nesting, mixins, operations and color manipulation, and the handling of import statements. dotlessCore can compile CSS from LESS sources embedded in strings or loaded from files, with error reporting that identifies the location of syntax errors. It is designed to be usable at runtime or as part of a build pipeline for precompiling styles.

Usage involves adding the dotlessCore package to a project and invoking its compiler API to transform LESS into CSS. It can be integrated into an application’s request pipeline, build tasks, or pre-build steps, depending on project needs and the desired workflow for stylesheet delivery.

Status and ecosystem: dotlessCore reflects ongoing efforts to bring LESS support to .NET Core. Users should review current repository activity and compatibility notes to ensure alignment with their target frameworks and tooling.