Introduction
When working with Angular projects, especially in a development or collaborative environment, it’s common to need to compile and run a specific branch locally. For Mac users, this process is relatively straightforward, but there are some essential steps that must be followed to ensure everything works properly. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up your local branch, compiling it, and accessing it on other devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 1: Clone the Project Locally
The first step in setting up your local branch is to clone the project from your version control repository. In most cases, you’ll use Git for this task. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
Make sure to replace <project-link> with the actual URL of the repository. This command will download the entire project, including its history and branches, onto your local machine.
Once the cloning process is complete, navigate to the project directory by running the following command:
Now, you are inside the project directory and ready to move on to the next step
Step 2: Checkout the Desired Branch
Now that you’ve cloned the project, you need to access the specific branch you want to work on. You can do this using the git checkout command. Simply run:
Replace <branch-name> with the name of the branch you want to work on. This command switches you to that branch, so you can compile and test the latest changes specific to that branch.
Step 3: Locate Your Wifi Router IP Address
Before you can serve your Angular application, you’ll need to know the IP address of your Wi-Fi router. This allows other devices on the same network to access the project locally.
To find your Wi-Fi router’s IP address on macOS:
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Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
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Click on Network.
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Select Wi-Fi from the list of connections on the left.
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Click the Advanced button in the bottom-right corner.
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In the TCP/IP tab, look for the IPv4 Address field. This is the IP address you’ll use to access the local branch.
Take note of this address, as you’ll use it in the next step.
Step 4: Update the API Environment Configuration
Once you have the IP address, you’ll need to configure the Angular project to use this address in the environment settings. Open the appropriate environment configuration file in your project, typically found in:
Look for the API endpoint settings in the file. You’ll need to change the current API URL to the following format:
Replace <IPv4 Address> with the IP address you found earlier. This ensures that the project will use your local network IP and port 4200 for API requests. Depending on the structure of the project, this might differ, but the principle is the same—pointing the app to the right local API.
Step 5: Compile the Branch
Now you’re ready to compile the project! To start the Angular development server and compile the branch locally, use the following command:
Here’s what each part of this command does:
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ng serve: This starts the Angular development server. -
--host <IPv4 Address>: This specifies that the server should listen on the local network, allowing other devices to access the app. -
--port 4200: This tells Angular to serve the app on port 4200, which is the default port for Angular projects. -
--ssl: This flag enables SSL, which is necessary for running a secure local server (especially when making API calls).
After running this command, you should see output in the terminal indicating that Angular is compiling the branch. If everything goes well, the development server will be up and running.
Step 6: Access the Branch on Other Devices
Once the compilation is successful, you can access the app from any device connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open a browser on the device and enter the following URL:
Replace <IPv4 Address> with the IP address you located earlier. This should load the app in the browser.
Note: “Your Connection is Not Private” Error
When accessing the app from other devices, you might encounter an error that says, “Your connection is not private”. This happens because the local development server uses SSL certificates that aren’t trusted by the browser. To bypass this, click the Advanced button on the error page, and then click Proceed to <IPv4 Address>:4200. This will allow you to continue and access the app without any issues.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues, here are some things to check:
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Firewall Issues: Ensure that your Mac’s firewall isn’t blocking incoming connections on port 4200. You may need to adjust firewall settings to allow this.
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Network Configuration: Make sure both your Mac and other devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
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Port Conflicts: If port 4200 is already in use, you can try a different port by adding the
--port <port-number>flag (e.g.,--port 4300). -
SSL Errors: If you face SSL issues, ensure that the
--sslflag is added to theng servecommand. If problems persist, try disabling SSL for testing by removing the--sslflag, though this isn’t recommended for production.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily compile and test an Angular branch locally on your Mac, and make it accessible to other devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Whether you’re testing a new feature, running QA checks, or just sharing your work with teammates, this method ensures you have a streamlined process for local branch compilation.
If you have any issues or questions during this process, feel free to reach out to your team or consult relevant documentation. Happy coding!
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