5 Ways Hubspot Develop Locally

Developing locally with Hubspot involves creating and testing Hubspot-related projects, such as themes, modules, and custom applications, directly on your local machine before deploying them to a live Hubspot environment. This approach is crucial for developers as it allows for efficient testing, debugging, and version control without affecting the live site. Here are five ways to develop Hubspot projects locally, along with practical examples and step-by-step instructions to help you get started:

1. Using Hubspot’s Local Development Tools

Hubspot offers tools and guidelines for local development. One of the key tools is the Hubspot CLI (Command Line Interface), which allows developers to create, test, and deploy Hubspot projects locally. For instance, you can use the Hubspot CLI to generate a new theme or module project, and then use the hs watch command to start a local development server.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Install the Hubspot CLI using npm by running npm install -g @hubspot/cli
• Create a new theme project using hs create theme my-theme
• Start the local development server using hs watch
• Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000 to preview your theme

2. Setting Up a Local Development Environment with Docker

Docker provides a consistent and reliable way to develop and test applications locally. By using Docker containers, you can replicate the Hubspot environment on your local machine, ensuring that your project works as expected when it’s deployed. For example, you can create a Docker container for a Hubspot theme, and then use Docker Compose to manage the container and its dependencies.

Example Code:

# Dockerfile for Hubspot theme
FROM node:14

# Set working directory to /app
WORKDIR /app

# Copy package*.json files
COPY package*.json./

# Install dependencies
RUN npm install

# Copy application code
COPY..

# Expose port 3000
EXPOSE 3000

# Run command to start development server
CMD ["npm", "start"]

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Install Docker and Docker Compose on your local machine
• Create a Dockerfile for your Hubspot theme or module
• Build the Docker image using docker build -t my-theme.
• Start the Docker container using docker run -p 3000:3000 my-theme
• Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000 to preview your theme

3. Utilizing Version Control Systems (VCS) like Git

Version control is essential for any development project, including those related to Hubspot. Tools like Git allow you to track changes, collaborate with others, and maintain different versions of your project. For instance, you can create a Git repository for your Hubspot theme or module, and then use Git branches to manage different versions of your code.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Create a new Git repository for your Hubspot project using git init
• Create a new branch for your feature using git branch feature/my-feature
• Switch to the new branch using git checkout feature/my-feature
• Make changes to your code and commit them using git commit -m "My changes"
• Merge the feature branch into the main branch using git merge feature/my-feature

4. Leveraging Hubspot’s CMS and APIs for Custom Development

Hubspot provides a robust CMS (Content Management System) and APIs that can be leveraged for custom development. By using these tools, developers can create custom modules, themes, and applications that integrate seamlessly with Hubspot. For example, you can use the Hubspot CMS API to create a custom blog module, or use the Hubspot Contacts API to create a custom contact management system.

Example Code:

// Hubspot CMS API example
const hubspot = require('@hubspot/api-client');

// Create a new client instance
const client = new hubspot.Client({ accessToken: 'your_access_token' });

// Create a new blog post
client.cms почина()
 .createBlogPost({
    title: 'My Blog Post',
    content: 'This is my blog post content',
  })
 .then((response) => {
    console.log(response);
  })
 .catch((error) => {
    console.error(error);
  });

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Register for a Hubspot developer account and obtain an access token
• Install the Hubspot API client library using npm
• Create a new client instance using the access token
• Use the Hubspot CMS API to create a new blog post or custom module

5. Testing and Debugging Locally

Local development is not just about writing code; it’s also about testing and debugging. Tools like BrowserSync can be used to synchronize interactions across multiple devices and browsers, making it easier to test responsive designs and debug issues. For instance, you can use BrowserSync to test your Hubspot theme or module on multiple devices and browsers, and then use the BrowserSync dashboard to debug any issues that arise.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Install BrowserSync using npm
• Create a new BrowserSync configuration file using browser-sync init
• Start the BrowserSync server using browser-sync start
• Open your web browser and navigate to the BrowserSync dashboard to test and debug your Hubspot project

By following these steps and using these tools, you can develop Hubspot projects locally with ease, ensuring that your projects are thoroughly tested and refined before deployment. Remember to always keep your local environment consistent with the production environment to avoid compatibility issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

In conclusion, developing Hubspot projects locally is an essential part of the development process, and by using the right tools and techniques, you can create high-quality, custom solutions that meet your clients’ needs. Remember to always follow best practices, test and debug thoroughly, and keep your local environment consistent with the production environment to ensure successful deployment.