Files
lightrag/docs/FrontendBuildGuide.md

208 lines
5.1 KiB
Markdown

# Frontend Build Guide
## Overview
The LightRAG project includes a React-based WebUI frontend. This guide explains how frontend building works in different scenarios.
## Key Principle
- **Git Repository**: Frontend build results are **NOT** included (kept clean)
- **PyPI Package**: Frontend build results **ARE** included (ready to use)
- **Build Tool**: Uses **Bun** (not npm/yarn)
## Installation Scenarios
### 1. End Users (From PyPI) ✨
**Command:**
```bash
pip install lightrag-hku[api]
```
**What happens:**
- Frontend is already built and included in the package
- No additional steps needed
- Web interface works immediately
---
### 2. Development Mode (Recommended for Contributors) 🔧
**Command:**
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/HKUDS/LightRAG.git
cd LightRAG
# Install in editable mode (no frontend build required yet)
pip install -e ".[api]"
# Build frontend when needed (can be done anytime)
cd lightrag_webui
bun install --frozen-lockfile
bun run build
cd ..
```
**Advantages:**
- Install first, build later (flexible workflow)
- Changes take effect immediately (symlink mode)
- Frontend can be rebuilt anytime without reinstalling
**How it works:**
- Creates symlinks to source directory
- Frontend build output goes to `lightrag/api/webui/`
- Changes are immediately visible in installed package
---
### 3. Normal Installation (Testing Package Build) 📦
**Command:**
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/HKUDS/LightRAG.git
cd LightRAG
# ⚠️ MUST build frontend FIRST
cd lightrag_webui
bun install --frozen-lockfile
bun run build
cd ..
# Now install
pip install ".[api]"
```
**What happens:**
- Frontend files are **copied** to site-packages
- Post-build modifications won't affect installed package
- Requires rebuild + reinstall to update
**When to use:**
- Testing complete installation process
- Verifying package configuration
- Simulating PyPI user experience
---
### 4. Creating Distribution Package 🚀
**Command:**
```bash
# Build frontend first
cd lightrag_webui
bun install --frozen-lockfile --production
bun run build
cd ..
# Create distribution packages
python -m build
# Output: dist/lightrag_hku-*.whl and dist/lightrag_hku-*.tar.gz
```
**What happens:**
- `setup.py` checks if frontend is built
- If missing, installation fails with helpful error message
- Generated package includes all frontend files
---
## GitHub Actions (Automated Release)
When creating a release on GitHub:
1. **Automatically builds frontend** using Bun
2. **Verifies** build completed successfully
3. **Creates Python package** with frontend included
4. **Publishes to PyPI** using existing trusted publisher setup
**No manual intervention required!**
---
## Quick Reference
| Scenario | Command | Frontend Required | Can Build After |
|----------|---------|-------------------|-----------------|
| From PyPI | `pip install lightrag-hku[api]` | Included | No (already installed) |
| Development | `pip install -e ".[api]"` | No | ✅ Yes (anytime) |
| Normal Install | `pip install ".[api]"` | ✅ Yes (before) | No (must reinstall) |
| Create Package | `python -m build` | ✅ Yes (before) | N/A |
---
## Bun Installation
If you don't have Bun installed:
```bash
# macOS/Linux
curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash
# Windows
powershell -c "irm bun.sh/install.ps1 | iex"
```
Official documentation: https://bun.sh
---
## File Structure
```
LightRAG/
├── lightrag_webui/ # Frontend source code
│ ├── src/ # React components
│ ├── package.json # Dependencies
│ └── vite.config.ts # Build configuration
│ └── outDir: ../lightrag/api/webui # Build output
├── lightrag/
│ └── api/
│ └── webui/ # Frontend build output (gitignored)
│ ├── index.html # Built files (after running bun run build)
│ └── assets/ # Built assets
├── setup.py # Build checks
├── pyproject.toml # Package configuration
└── .gitignore # Excludes lightrag/api/webui/* (except .gitkeep)
```
---
## Troubleshooting
### Q: I installed in development mode but the web interface doesn't work
**A:** Build the frontend:
```bash
cd lightrag_webui && bun run build
```
### Q: I built the frontend but it's not in my installed package
**A:** You probably used `pip install .` after building. Either:
- Use `pip install -e ".[api]"` for development
- Or reinstall: `pip uninstall lightrag-hku && pip install ".[api]"`
### Q: Where are the built frontend files?
**A:** In `lightrag/api/webui/` after running `bun run build`
### Q: Can I use npm or yarn instead of Bun?
**A:** The project is configured for Bun. While npm/yarn might work, Bun is recommended per project standards.
---
## Summary
**PyPI users**: No action needed, frontend included
**Developers**: Use `pip install -e ".[api]"`, build frontend when needed
**CI/CD**: Automatic build in GitHub Actions
**Git**: Frontend build output never committed
For questions or issues, please open a GitHub issue.