Packages and entrances
ElfUI uses a single user-facing entry while keeping its internal packages separate. New projects declare only @elfui/core as a direct runtime dependency; Chain, Router, and build tooling remain optional.
Entrance selection
| Scenario | Installation | Import |
|---|---|---|
| New Project / Component Library | Runtime @elfui/core; dev dependency @elfui/vite-plugin | import { defineHtml, createApp } from "@elfui/core" |
| Routing | @elfui/router | import { createRouter } from "@elfui/router" |
| Old site embedded / small demo | @elfui/chain | import { ElfUI } from "@elfui/chain" |
| Only responsive | @elfui/reactivity | import { useRef } from "@elfui/reactivity" |
| Advanced runtime packaging | @elfui/runtime | import { defineComponent } from "@elfui/runtime" |
| Create Vite Project | create-elfui | pnpm create elfui@beta my-app --install |
Package responsibilities
| Packages | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
@elfui/core | The standard user-facing runtime entry for stable macro, reactivity, and runtime APIs |
@elfui/vite-plugin | Vite macro component compilation plug-in |
@elfui/router | Web Components Routing |
@elfui/chain | Chained component expansion package, including runtime compiler |
@elfui/reactivity | Complete entrance to responsive system |
@elfui/runtime | Custom Element, lifecycle, built-in components and advanced helpers |
@elfui/compiler | Compiler source code capabilities for tools and extensions |
Volume caliber
Current beta volume baseline:
| Entry | gzip | Description |
|---|---|---|
@elfui/core | 10.52 KB | Main entry, without runtime compiler |
@elfui/chain | 21.19 KB | Chained .template() with runtime compiler |
@elfui/core + @elfui/router | 15.00 KB | Main entrance plus routing |
@elfui/reactivity | 4.17 KB | Reactive only |
boundary
@elfui/core does not export the createComponent(), ElementBuilder, compile() or runtime string template capabilities. When you need a chained API, go to "Ecology/Chain Components".
Generated render helpers import from @elfui/core/internal. This subpath is a versioned protocol between the compiler and Core, not an application-authoring API. Applications should not write internal imports or declare @elfui/runtime directly.
WARNING
@elfui/router is a standalone package; only install it if routing is required. For the complete ecology, see [Ecosystem Overview] (/en/ecosystem/overview): Router, Extensions, UI Kit, Language Tools and Create ElfUI are all maintained independently in their respective warehouses.