# What Build Tool Is Used for Securo Frontend Development (And How It Works)

> Securo uses Vite as its frontend build tool for efficient development. Learn how Vite and npm scripts streamline your Securo project builds and previews.

- Repository: [securo-finance/securo](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo)
- Tags: deep-dive
- Published: 2026-08-28

---

**Securo uses Vite as its frontend build tool**, with standard npm scripts for development, production builds, and previewing.

Securo's frontend stack relies on **Vite** — a modern, fast build tool designed for JavaScript and TypeScript applications. According to the `securo-finance/securo` source code, Vite powers the entire development workflow from local development through production deployment. This article breaks down how Vite is configured and used in the Securo frontend.

## How Vite Is Configured in Securo

The Vite setup lives in two primary files. In [`frontend/package.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/package.json), Vite is declared as the build tool through dedicated npm scripts. The [`frontend/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/vite.config.ts) file contains the full configuration including plugins, environment loading, and Tailwind CSS integration.

### Package.json Scripts

The [`frontend/package.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/package.json) defines three core Vite commands:

```json
{
  "scripts": {
    "dev": "vite",
    "build": "tsc -b && vite build",
    "preview": "vite preview"
  }
}

```

These map to standard Vite lifecycle stages:

 - **`npm run dev`** — Starts the development server with hot-module replacement (HMR)
 - **`npm run build`** — Compiles TypeScript and produces a production bundle
 - **`npm run preview`** — Serves the production build locally for verification

## Vite Configuration Details

The [`frontend/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/vite.config.ts) file implements a dynamic configuration that loads environment variables and registers plugins:

```ts
import tailwindcss from '@tailwindcss/vite';
import react from '@vitejs/plugin-react';
import { defineConfig, loadEnv } from 'vite';

export default defineConfig(({ mode }) => {
  const env = loadEnv(mode, process.cwd());
  return {
    plugins: [react(), tailwindcss()],
    server: { port: Number(env.VITE_PORT) || 3000 },
  };
});

```

Key configuration elements:

 - **`@vitejs/plugin-react`** — Enables React Fast Refresh and JSX transformation
 - **`@tailwindcss/vite`** — Integrates Tailwind CSS 4.0's native Vite plugin
 - **`loadEnv`** — Loads environment variables from `.env` files based on the current mode
 - **Dynamic port assignment** — Uses `VITE_PORT` from environment variables, defaulting to 3000

## Why Vite for Securo Frontend Development

Vite was chosen for several technical advantages evident in the Securo implementation:

| Feature | How Securo Uses It |
|--------|-------------------|
| Instant server start | `vite dev` launches immediately without bundling delay |
| Native ESM | Leverages browser ES modules in development for faster updates |
| Optimized builds | `vite build` produces highly optimized production assets |
| Plugin ecosystem | React and Tailwind integration via official plugins |
| TypeScript support | First-class `.ts` and `.tsx` handling without extra configuration |

The combination of `tsc -b` with `vite build` in the production script ensures type safety before the Vite bundling process begins.

## Key Files in the Build System

Understanding the full build context requires examining these files:

 - **[`frontend/package.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/package.json)** — Declares Vite dependency and npm scripts
 - **[`frontend/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/vite.config.ts)** — Central Vite configuration with plugins and environment loading
 - **[`frontend/tsconfig.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/tsconfig.json)** — TypeScript compiler options used alongside Vite's built-in TS support

These files work together to create a cohesive development experience where Vite handles module resolution, bundling, and optimization while TypeScript provides type checking.

## Summary

Securo's frontend build system centers on Vite as the core tool. Key takeaways:

 - Vite powers development, build, and preview workflows through [`frontend/package.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/package.json) scripts
 - Configuration in [`frontend/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/vite.config.ts) integrates React, Tailwind CSS, and environment variables
 - TypeScript compilation precedes Vite bundling in production builds
 - The setup follows Vite 5.x+ patterns with native ESM development server

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Vite the only build tool used for Securo's frontend?

Yes, according to the repository source code, Vite is the sole build tool. The [`package.json`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/package.json) does not list Webpack, Parcel, or other alternatives — all build-related scripts delegate directly to Vite commands.

### What version of Vite does Securo use?

The source analysis does not specify an exact version, but the configuration uses modern Vite 5.x+ patterns including `defineConfig` with mode-specific environment loading and the `@tailwindcss/vite` plugin for Tailwind CSS 4.0.

### How do environment variables work with Vite in Securo?

Environment variables load dynamically through `loadEnv(mode, process.cwd())` in [`vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/vite.config.ts). The configuration reads `VITE_PORT` to set the development server port, falling back to 3000 if undefined. Variables prefixed with `VITE_` are exposed to the client code.

### Can I customize the Vite configuration for my own Securo deployment?

Yes, modify [`frontend/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/securo-finance/securo/blob/main/frontend/vite.config.ts) to adjust plugins, build options, or server settings. The `defineConfig` helper provides full TypeScript intellisense for all Vite configuration options.