🧪 AngularJS CLI – Setup, Scaffolding & Alternatives for AngularJS Projects (2025 Guide)

🧲 Introduction – Is There a CLI for AngularJS?

Unlike modern Angular (2+), which comes with a powerful built-in Angular CLI, AngularJS (1.x) does not ship with an official CLI tool. However, developers can still streamline AngularJS development using community tools, custom scripts, or scaffolding generators like:

• Yeoman generators
• Grunt / Gulp task runners
• Webpack configuration
• npm-based project scripts

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to set up AngularJS projects using CLI-style tools
• The best Yeoman generators for AngularJS scaffolding
• How to automate builds with Grunt, Gulp, or Webpack
• CLI-equivalent workflows for legacy AngularJS apps

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🛠️ Why AngularJS Has No Official CLI

AngularJS was released in 2010—before the modern era of CLI-based front-end workflows. At the time:

• Developers used manual file creation
• Task runners like Grunt/Gulp handled automation
• There were no module bundlers like Webpack in common use

So while there’s no native AngularJS CLI, modern tooling can still be applied to AngularJS projects.

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🔧 CLI-like Scaffolding with Yeoman

✅ Step 1: Install Yeoman and Generator

npm install -g yo generator-angular

This installs Yeoman and the generator-angular scaffolding tool.

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✅ Step 2: Generate an AngularJS Project

yo angular

Follow the prompts to scaffold:

• App structure
• Modules and controllers
• Routes
• Directives, filters, services, etc.

✅ Generates a ready-to-run AngularJS boilerplate with Grunt or Gulp build tools.

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⚙️ Build Automation with Grunt or Gulp

✅ Install Gulp

npm install --save-dev gulp

✅ Sample gulpfile.js for AngularJS

const gulp = require('gulp');
const connect = require('gulp-connect');

gulp.task('serve', function() {
  connect.server({
    root: 'app',
    livereload: true
  });
});

gulp.task('default', gulp.series('serve'));

✅ Provides a CLI-style dev server with live reload.

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📦 Module Bundling with Webpack

AngularJS can be used with modern Webpack setups too.

✅ Sample webpack.config.js

module.exports = {
  entry: './app/main.js',
  output: {
    filename: 'bundle.js',
    path: __dirname + '/dist'
  },
  module: {
    rules: [
      {
        test: /\.html$/,
        use: 'raw-loader'
      }
    ]
  }
};

✅ Use ng-annotate-loader for dependency injection safety during minification.

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🧪 CLI Commands via npm Scripts

Add CLI-style commands in package.json:

"scripts": {
  "start": "live-server app",
  "build": "webpack --config webpack.config.js",
  "test": "karma start karma.conf.js"
}

✅ Now you can run:

npm start
npm run build
npm run test

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📁 Typical AngularJS Folder Structure (Yeoman Style)

app/
├── scripts/
│   ├── app.js
│   ├── controllers/
│   └── services/
├── views/
├── styles/
├── index.html
Gruntfile.js / gulpfile.js
package.json
bower.json

✅ This layout supports CLI-style file organization and separation of concerns.

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

While AngularJS doesn’t have an official CLI, you can achieve similar automation, scaffolding, and build support using Yeoman, Grunt, Gulp, Webpack, and npm scripts. These tools replicate modern CLI workflows and keep your AngularJS projects structured and productive.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Use Yeoman for project scaffolding
• Automate builds with Gulp or Grunt
• Bundle AngularJS with Webpack and ng-annotate
• Create CLI-style commands with npm scripts
• Organize code with a clear module-based folder structure

⚙️ Real-world Relevance:
Essential for maintaining AngularJS codebases with modern dev workflows in enterprise, admin panel, and legacy project environments.

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❓ FAQ – AngularJS CLI

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❓ Is there an official CLI for AngularJS?
❌ No. AngularJS (1.x) predates official CLI tooling. Angular CLI is only available in Angular 2+.

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❓ What tool can I use to scaffold AngularJS projects?
✅ Use Yeoman Generator Angular for scaffolding controllers, services, routes, and views.

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❓ Can I use Webpack with AngularJS?
✅ Yes. Webpack can bundle AngularJS files and templates. Use ng-annotate for safe dependency injection.

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❓ How do I simulate CLI commands in AngularJS projects?
✅ Use npm scripts to define commands like start, build, and test.

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