Streamline Your Icon Library with IcoMoon Utilities
date
Aug 17, 2024
slug
streamline-your-icon-library-with-icomoon-utilities
status
Published
tags
icons
webdevelopment
performance
refactoring
javascript
summary
type
Post
Managing an icon library can get messy, fast. Over time, unused icons and similar-looking duplicates start piling up, leading to bloated files, inconsistent designs, and slower load times. If you use IcoMoon for your projects, I have two powerful utilities that can help you clean up and streamline your icons: find-similar-icons.js and find-unused-icons.js.
Let’s explore how these scripts work and why they’re essential for keeping your projects lean and efficient.
1. find-unused-icons.js — Find and Remove Unused Icons
Are there icons in your project that aren’t used anymore? Keeping them can increase your file sizes and slow down your project. With the find-unused-icons.js utility, you can quickly identify and eliminate unused icons.
How It Works:
This script scans your project directory (JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, etc.) to see which icons from your IcoMoon
selection.json are actually used in your code. Any icons that aren’t found in your files are flagged as unused.Usage:
- Clone the repository and navigate to the directory.
- Run the script:
- When prompted, provide the path to your
selection.jsonfile and the directory you want to scan:
Example Output:
This will give you a list of unused icons, making it easy to delete them and optimize your project.
Why It’s Useful:
- Reduced File Size: Fewer icons mean smaller file sizes and faster load times.
- Cleaner Codebase: By clearing out unused icons, you’ll maintain a more organized and manageable codebase.
2. find-similar-icons.js — Detect and Consolidate Similar Icons
Do you have multiple icons in your library that look almost identical? It’s easy for similar or duplicate icons to creep into a project. The find-similar-icons.js script helps you find these icons so you can consolidate them and avoid confusion.
How It Works:
This script compares the SVG paths of each icon in your IcoMoon
selection.json file. Icons with similar paths are flagged, allowing you to choose which ones to keep.Usage:
- Run the script:
- Provide the path to your
selection.jsonfile and (optionally) adjust the similarity threshold:
Example Output:
You’ll receive a list of icons that are visually similar. You can then review them and decide which to keep.
Why It’s Useful:
- Consistent Design Language: Ensures that your iconography remains consistent and eliminates unnecessary variations.
- Saves Time: No more confusion over which icon to use. You can standardize your design quickly.
Why These Utilities Are a Must-Have
- Optimized Performance: A smaller, more efficient icon library reduces load times and enhances performance.
- Enhanced Consistency: Consolidating similar icons keeps your design language uniform across the project.
- Simple Setup: Both scripts are easy to use — just point them at your
selection.jsonfile and scan your project.
- Clean Codebase: Keep your project free of unnecessary clutter, making development smoother and more manageable.
Get Started Now!
Ready to clean up your icon library? Download the scripts from the GitHub repository and start optimizing today.
By using these simple yet effective utilities, you’ll maintain a lean, consistent, and efficient icon library, saving time and improving the quality of your project. Give them a try and experience the difference they make!