Grunt tool window

Use this tool window to run Grunt tasks. The result of executing a task is shown in the Run tool window. The tool window shows the Grunt output, reports the errors occurred, lists the packages or plugins that have not been found, etc. The name of the last executed task is displayed on the title bar of the tool window.

Before you start

Download and install Node.js.
Install the grunt-cli package (Grunt command-line interface) globally and install the grunt package as a development dependency. For more information, refer to Installing Grunt.

Running tasks and targets

To open the Grunt tool window

Select the required Gruntfile.js file in the Project tool window Alt+1 or open it in the editor and choose Show Grunt Tasks from the context menu.

To build a tree of tasks

In the Grunt tool window, click on the toolbar and choose the required Gruntfile.js file from the list. By default, WebStorm shows the Gruntfile.js file in the root of your project.
If you have another Gruntfile.js file, click Choose Gruntfile.js and select the Gruntfile.js file you need in the dialog that opens. WebStorm adds a new node with the path to the chosen Gruntfile.js file on its title and builds a tasks tree under the new node.

To re-build a tree

Switch to the required node and click on the toolbar.

To sort the tasks in a tree by their names

Click on the toolbar, choose Sort by from the menu, and then choose Name.
By default, a tree shows the tasks in the order in which they are defined in Gruntfile.js (option Definition order).

To run a task or a target

Double-click the task or target.
Select the task or target in the tree and press Enter or choose Run <task name> from the context menu.

To run the default task

Select the root node in the tree, and choose Run default on the context menu of the selection.

To run several tasks or targets

Use the multiselect mode: hold Shift (for adjacent items) or Ctrl (for non-adjacent items) keys and select the required tasks or targets, then choose Run or Debug from the context menu of the selection.

To jump to the definition of a task or a target

Select the required task or target in the tree, and choose Jump to source from the context menu of the selection.

Toolbar

	Add Gruntfile	Click this button to have a task tree for another Gruntfile.js file built. Choose the required Gruntfile.js file from the list. WebStorm adds a new node and builds a task tree under it.
	Remove Gruntfile	Click this button to remove the task tree under the selected node.
	Reload tasks	Click this button to have the task tree under the selected node re-built. You may need a tree re-built after updating the corresponding Gruntfile.js file because Grunt does not apply changes to trees on the fly.
	Collapse all	Click this button to hide all the tasks trees and have only Gruntfile.js nodes displayed.
		Click this button to configure the current view and to change the viewing modes of the tool window . For more information, refer to Tool window view modes. Note that most of the menu items are options that you can turn on or off. An option which is on has a check mark to the left of its name. The Grunt-specific options are: Grunt Settings: select this option to open the Grunt Settings dialog and update the current settings for Grunt and for the Node interpreter, refer to Grunt. Sort by: select this option to configure the order in which tasks are shown in trees. Click on the toolbar, choose Sort by from the menu, and then choose Name. By default, a tree shows the tasks in the order in which they are defined in Gruntfile.js (option Definition order).
	Hide	Click this button to hide the tool window. To have it displayed again, select View \| Tool Windows \| Grunt in the main menu. The tool window appears again showing all the previously built trees of tasks.

Context Menu of a Tree

Grunt Settings	Choose this menu item to open the Grunt Settings dialog and view or edit the Node.js configuration
Jump to Source	Choose this menu item to open the Gruntfile.js file for which the current tree is built.
Reload tasks	Choose this menu item to have the tree of tasks under the selected node re-built.
Copy Path	Choose this menu item to save the path to the Gruntfile.js file according to which the current tree was built to the clipboard.
Remove Gruntfile.js	Choose this menu item to remove the tree of tasks under the selected node.

Context Menu of a Task or a Target

Run <task/target name>	Choose this menu item to run the selected task or target.
Debug <task/target name>	Choose this menu item to debug the selected task or target.
Edit <task/target name> settings	Choose this menu item to open the Run/Debug Configuration dialog and edit the predefined settings for the selected task or target.
Jump to Source	Choose this menu item to open the Gruntfile.js file for which the current tree is built and navigate to the definition of the selected task or target.

Last modified: 17 June 2024