How to Run the Angular Project [Step-By-Step Explanation]

Imagine you’re planning to go to the mall or the movies, so you open the Uber app on your phone. You tap a button, and instantly, the app updates to show available drivers nearby, calculates your ride fare, and confirms your booking — all without long loading times. This is made possible by frameworks like Angular.

This front-end development framework, created by Google, powers real-time, interactive web applications. It’s widely used for single-page applications (SPAs), like Gmail, where content updates instantly without reloading the page.

Do you wonder how developers create such seamless, interactive experiences? This guide is crafted for both beginners and experienced developers. It breaks down the process of starting and running an Angular project. You’ll find actionable steps and practical insights to help you succeed in your software development career. 

So dive right in! 

What is Angular CLI?

Angular CLI, or Command Line Interface, is a powerful tool created to simplify and streamline the development process for Angular applications. This tool is known for its ease of use, and lets you focus on building your app, not on setup or repetitive tasks.

This is important while developing a web application, where efficiency and accuracy are critical. Angular CLI automates mundane tasks such as configuring files, creating boilerplate code, and managing dependencies. 

Also Read: How to Install Angular CLI in Windows 10

Also Read: How to Install Angular in Mac in 2024? Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand Angular CLI, let’s find how to run an Angular project.

How to Run an Angular Project?

Running an Angular project involves creating a workspace, building a starter app, serving it, and customizing its appearance. This section provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process effortlessly.

First Step - Create a Workspace and Starter App

Before running your Angular app, you need to create a workspace that will house your project files. Follow these steps:

1. Open Your Terminal: Navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.
2. Run the Following Command:

ng new my-angular-app  

• Replace my-angular-app with the desired name for your project.
• The Angular CLI will prompt you to choose configurations:
• Add Angular routing?: Choose "Yes" if you plan to navigate between.
• Style format?: Select your preferred style format (CSS, SCSS, etc.).

  3. Navigate to Your Project Directory: Once the project is created, move into the project folder. 

You can use the following command:

cd my-angular-app

At this point, your workspace is ready, and a starter app with a default structure has been created.

Second Step - Serve the Application

To preview your app in the browser, serve it using the Angular development server.

Follow these steps:

1. Run this command

ng serve

• This compiles the app and starts a local development server.
• By default, the app runs at http://localhost:4200.

2. Open Your Browser: Navigate to http://localhost:4200 to view your app. You should see a default Angular page with the message: "Welcome to my-angular-app!"

3. Live Reload: Thanks to Angular's live reload feature, any changes you make in the project files will automatically be reflected in the browser.

Third Step - Explore Component Files in the IDE 

Angular projects are modular, and components play a vital role. 

Here’s how you can explore them:

1. Open the Project in an IDE

Use an editor like Visual Studio Code for an optimal experience.

2. Locate Key Component Files

Inside the src/app directory, you’ll find these important files.

• app.component.ts: The logic for the root component.
• app.component.html: The HTML template that defines the UI.
• app.component.css: The CSS file for styling this component.

3. Understand the Structure

• app.module.ts: This file defines the root module and bundles all components.
• main.ts: The entry point for bootstrapping the application.

Exploring these files helps you understand how Angular organizes code and components.

Fourth Step - Add a Title to the App

Now time to make a small change to your app by updating the title.

1. Modify the Title
Open app.component.html and replace the default content with:

<h1>Welcome to My First Angular Project!</h1>

2. Save the File
As soon as you save the file, the browser will reload automatically, and you’ll see the updated title.

3. Understand the Impact:
This change shows how Angular’s component-based architecture allows you to update specific parts of your app easily.

Fifth Step - Style the Application

Add some custom styling to make your app visually appealing. You can follow the below steps:

1. Open the CSS File:
Navigate to app.component.css and add the following styles:

h1 {  
  color: #1976d2;  
    
  text-align: center;  
  margin-top: 20px;  
}  

2. Save and Refresh:
The browser will reload automatically, displaying your newly styled header.

3. Experiment with Styles:
Add more styles to customize other parts of the app, experimenting with Angular’s modular CSS approach.

For example, if you want to build and run a simple Angular app to display a welcome message, you can follow these steps using the above workflow:

• Create the app using ng new.
• Serve the app with ng serve.
• Modify the app.component.html to include a personalized welcome message.
• Style it using app.component.css.

By following these steps, you’ll not only run your Angular project but also understand how to modify and personalize it effectively. These fundamentals are key to building dynamic, interactive web applications.

Also Read: Web Application Architecture: Function, Components, Types & Real Life Examples

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What are the Prerequisites for Running an Angular Project?

To get started, there are a few core development technologies you need to work with Angular:

• JavaScript: Angular is a JavaScript-based framework. Understanding JavaScript is crucial for implementing logic, handling events, and interfacing with APIs within your Angular project.
• HTML: Angular templates are built using HTML. You’ll use it to define your app’s structure and user interface.
• CSS: CSS is used to style your Angular components, making the app visually appealing and responsive.

Here’s a detailed list of software tools you need to install before starting an Angular project:

1. Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager)

Purpose: Node.js provides a runtime environment for JavaScript outside the browser, and npm helps manage dependencies.

Requirement: Install the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version of Node.js for stability.

Example: npm is used to install Angular CLI and libraries required for your project.

2. Angular CLI (Command Line Interface)

Purpose: Angular CLI simplifies project creation, setup, and management.

Installation Command:

npm install -g @angular/cli

3. Code Editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code)

Purpose: A code editor is needed to write and manage your project files.

Recommendation: Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is widely used because of its rich extension library and Angular compatibility.

4. Browser (e.g., Chrome):

Purpose: A modern browser is required to view and debug your Angular application.

Recommendation: Use Google Chrome for its developer tools, which are excellent for debugging Angular apps.

Angular works seamlessly on various operating systems. Here’s an overview:

Make sure your OS is updated to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.

You’ll also need a stable internet connection to:

• Download Node.js, Angular CLI, and other libraries.
• Install dependencies for your project using npm.
• Access online documentation or resources during development.

By ensuring these prerequisites are met, you’ll have a smooth experience starting and running your Angular project. These tools and technologies are the backbone of Angular development, so take the time to get them right before diving into coding!

Also Read: Creating Libraries: How to Build a Library for Angular Apps?

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Conclusion

Getting started with Angular CLI is like having a well-organized toolkit—it simplifies building apps like Netflix or Spotify with its modular framework and live reload. Experimenting with components and configurations lays the groundwork for mastering advanced features, setting you up for front-end success.

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