Bootstrap 5 Download: Everything You Need to Know About the New Release
How to Download Bootstrap 5
Bootstrap is the most popular HTML, CSS, and JavaScript framework for creating responsive, mobile-first websites. Bootstrap 5 is the newest version of Bootstrap, which has new components, faster stylesheet, and more responsiveness. In this article, you will learn how to download Bootstrap 5 and use it in your project.
download bootstrap 5
What is Bootstrap 5?
Bootstrap 5 is the latest major release of Bootstrap, which was launched in May 2021. Bootstrap 5 is a powerful, feature-packed frontend toolkit that helps you build fast and responsive websites with ease. Bootstrap 5 provides a grid system, components, utilities, and icons that you can customize and extend according to your needs.
Features of Bootstrap 5
Some of the main features of Bootstrap 5 are:
It has dropped jQuery as a dependency and switched to vanilla JavaScript.
It has dropped support for Internet Explorer and added support for CSS variables.
It has improved the grid system with new classes and utilities.
It has added new components such as offcanvas, accordion, and skeleton.
It has redesigned the documentation and examples with a new look and feel.
It has introduced a new utility API that allows you to create your own utilities.
It has added a new icon library with over 1200 icons.
Differences between Bootstrap 5 and previous versions
The main differences between Bootstrap 5 and previous versions are:
Bootstrap 5 uses JavaScript instead of jQuery, which means you need to update your code if you use any jQuery plugins or methods.
Bootstrap 5 does not support Internet Explorer, which means you need to use a polyfill or a fallback if you want to support older browsers.
Bootstrap 5 has changed some class names, color values, breakpoints, and default settings, which means you need to check the migration guide if you want to upgrade from an older version.
How to Get Started with Bootstrap 5
There are several ways to get started with Bootstrap 5. You can choose the option that suits your project best.
Option 1: Use a CDN
A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a service that delivers cached files from a network of servers around the world. Using a CDN is the easiest way to include Bootstrap in your project without any build steps. You can use jsDelivr, a free open source CDN, to load Bootstrap's compiled CSS and JS files. All you need to do is copy-paste the following code into your HTML file:
<!-- Bootstrap CSS --> <link href="(^13^)" rel="stylesheet" integrity="sha384-EVSTQN3/azprG1Anm3QDgpJLIm9Nao0Yz1ztcQTwFspd3yD65VohhpuuCOmLASjC" crossorigin="anonymous"> <!-- Option 1: Bootstrap Bundle with Popper --> <script src="(^16^)" integrity="sha384-MrcW6ZMFYlzcLA8Nl+NtUVF0sA7MsXsP1UyJoMp4YLEuNSfAP+JcXn/tWtIaxVXM" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> The advantage of using a CDN is that you don't need to download or host any files yourself. The disadvantage is that you depend on the CDN's availability and performance. You also need to update the links whenever Bootstrap releases a new version.
Option 2: Download the Compiled CSS and JS Files
If you want to have more control over the files you use, you can download the compiled CSS and JS files from Bootstrap's official website. You can choose between the regular version and the minified version. The regular version is easier to read and debug, while the minified version is smaller and faster to load. You can also download the Bootstrap icons separately. After downloading the files, you need to unzip them and place them in your project folder. Then, you need to link them in your HTML file:
<!-- Bootstrap CSS --> <link href="css/bootstrap.css" rel="stylesheet"> <!-- Bootstrap Icons --> <link href="css/bootstrap-icons.css" rel="stylesheet"> <!-- Bootstrap JS --> <script src="js/bootstrap.bundle.js"></script>
The advantage of downloading the files is that you can host them yourself and customize them if needed. The disadvantage is that you need to download and update them manually whenever Bootstrap releases a new version.
Option 3: Download the Source Files and Compile Them Yourself
If you want to have even more control over the files you use, you can download the source files and compile them yourself. The source files are written in Sass, a CSS preprocessor that allows you to use variables, mixins, functions, and more. You can also use PostCSS, a tool that helps you optimize your CSS code. To compile the source files, you need to have Node.js and npm installed on your machine. Then, you need to follow these steps:
How to download bootstrap 5 and install it
Download bootstrap 5 source files and compile them
Download bootstrap 5 examples and templates
Download bootstrap 5 CDN links and use them in your project
Download bootstrap 5 npm package and import it in your app
Download bootstrap 5 documentation and learn how to use it
Download bootstrap 5 starter project and customize it
Download bootstrap 5 icons and fonts
Download bootstrap 5 themes and skins
Download bootstrap 5 grid system and layout
Download bootstrap 5 components and plugins
Download bootstrap 5 forms and validation
Download bootstrap 5 navbar and navigation
Download bootstrap 5 carousel and sliders
Download bootstrap 5 modal and dialogs
Download bootstrap 5 accordion and collapse
Download bootstrap 5 tabs and pills
Download bootstrap 5 buttons and button groups
Download bootstrap 5 badges and labels
Download bootstrap 5 alerts and notifications
Download bootstrap 5 progress bars and spinners
Download bootstrap 5 tooltips and popovers
Download bootstrap 5 dropdowns and menus
Download bootstrap 5 cards and panels
Download bootstrap 5 list groups and items
Download bootstrap 5 tables and data
Download bootstrap 5 pagination and breadcrumbs
Download bootstrap 5 images and media
Download bootstrap 5 figures and captions
Download bootstrap 5 thumbnails and galleries
Download bootstrap 5 videos and embeds
Download bootstrap 5 responsive utilities and breakpoints
Download bootstrap 5 typography and text
Download bootstrap 5 colors and variables
Download bootstrap 5 mixins and functions
Download bootstrap 5 custom properties and CSS variables
Download bootstrap 5 animations and transitions
Download bootstrap 5 shadows and borders
Download bootstrap 5 spacing and sizing
Download bootstrap 5 flexbox and alignment
Download bootstrap 5 grid columns and rows
Download bootstrap 5 containers and wrappers
Download bootstrap 5 display and visibility
Download bootstrap 5 position and z-index
Download bootstrap 5 float and clear
Download bootstrap 5 overflow and clipping
Download the source files from Bootstrap's GitHub repository or use git clone.
Open a terminal window and navigate to the bootstrap folder.
Run npm install to install all the dependencies.
Run npm run dist to compile the CSS and JS files.
Copy the dist folder to your project folder.
Link the files in your HTML file as shown in option 2.
The advantage of compiling the source files is that you can customize them with Sass variables and mixins, and optimize them with PostCSS plugins. The disadvantage is that you need to have some knowledge of Sass, PostCSS, Node.js, and npm, and set up a build process.
Option 4: Use a Package Manager
If you are working with a package manager such as npm or yarn, you can install Bootstrap as a dependency in your project. A package manager is a tool that helps you manage your project's modules and libraries. To use a package manager, you need to have Node.js and npm or yarn installed on your machine. Then, you need to follow these steps:
Create a package.json file in your project folder by running npm init or yarn init.
Install Bootstrap by running npm install bootstrap or yarn add bootstrap.
Install Popper.js by running npm install @popperjs/core or yarn add @popperjs/core.
Install Bootstrap icons by running npm install bootstrap-icons or yarn add bootstrap-icons.
Import the Bootstrap CSS and JS files in your main JavaScript file:
// Import Bootstrap CSS import 'bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.css'; // Import Bootstrap Icons import 'bootstrap-icons/font/bootstrap-icons.css'; // Import Bootstrap JS import 'bootstrap/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle';
The advantage of using a package manager is that you can easily install and update Bootstrap with a single command. The disadvantage is that you need to have some knowledge of Node.js, npm or yarn, and module bundlers such as webpack or rollup.
How to Use Bootstrap 5 in Your Project
Once you have included Bootstrap in your project, you can start using it in your HTML file. Here are some basic steps to follow:
Include the Required Meta Tags
To make sure your website is responsive and compatible with different devices and browsers, you need to include some meta tags in the head section of your HTML file:
<meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
Link the Bootstrap CSS File
To apply the Bootstrap styles to your website, you need to link the Bootstrap CSS file in the he