lessMarked

LessMarked is an open-source JavaScript library that combines the rendering capabilities of the Marked Markdown parser with the LESS CSS preprocessor. It enables developers to convert Markdown documents into HTML while applying styles defined in LESS files, allowing nested rules, variables, and mixins to influence the presentation of the content.

The library provides an API that accepts a Markdown string and an optional configuration object and returns an object containing the generated HTML and the compiled CSS. Common options include a LESS source or file path, a theme or variables, and flags for minification or source maps. The rendering workflow typically first converts the Markdown to HTML using Marked, then compiles the provided LESS into CSS, with the option to inline the CSS or expose it separately for page inclusion.

LessMarked supports client-side and server-side usage and can be integrated into static site generators or web applications. It offers a lightweight extension model for adapting Markdown rendering or CSS processing and can be extended with plugins to handle custom syntax or theming hooks. The project emphasizes straightforward theming workflows, predictable output, and compatibility with existing Marked and LESS ecosystems.

Development and maintenance are community-driven, with the project hosted on a public repository that accepts contributions such as bug fixes, feature requests, and documentation improvements. Typical considerations in usage include theme design, CSS size management, and how LESS variable scoping interacts with the rendered HTML structure. The project is commonly released under an permissive open-source license to encourage adoption and collaboration.

See also: Marked, LESS, static site generators, CSS preprocessing.