SAPUI5/OpenUI5 CLI Management Skill

Table of Contents

• Overview
• When to Use This Skill
• Quick Start Workflow
• Project Types
• Bundled Resources

Overview

This skill provides comprehensive guidance for working with the UI5 CLI (UI5 Tooling), the official command-line interface for developing, building, and deploying SAPUI5 and OpenUI5 applications and libraries.

Current CLI Version: 4.0.0+ (Released July 24, 2024) Node.js Requirements: v20.11.0+ or v22.0.0+ (v21 not supported) npm Requirements: v8.0.0+

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Initialize new UI5 projects or enable CLI support for existing projects
• Configure ui5.yaml for applications, libraries, theme-libraries, or modules
• Build UI5 projects with optimization, bundling, and minification
• Run local development servers with HTTP/2, SSL, and CSP support
• Extend build processes with custom tasks or server middleware
• Manage monorepo/workspace configurations with multiple UI5 projects
• Troubleshoot common UI5 CLI errors and build issues
• Migrate between CLI versions (v1 → v2 → v3 → v4)
• Optimize build performance and analyze dependencies

Quick Start Workflow

New Project Setup

# 1. Install UI5 CLI (choose one)
npm install --global @ui5/cli          # Global installation
npm install --save-dev @ui5/cli        # Project-level installation

# 2. Initialize project (if new)
npm init --yes                          # Initialize npm
ui5 init                                # Create ui5.yaml

# 3. Select framework variant
ui5 use openui5@latest                  # For OpenUI5
ui5 use sapui5@latest                   # For SAPUI5

# 4. Add framework libraries
ui5 add sap.ui.core sap.m sap.ui.table themelib_sap_fiori_3

# 5. Start development
ui5 serve                               # Start dev server
ui5 serve --open index.html            # Start and open browser

# 6. Build for production
ui5 build --all                         # Build with dependencies
ui5 build --clean-dest                  # Clean before building

Existing Project Setup

# 1. Enable CLI support
ui5 init

# 2. Configure framework (if ui5.yaml exists)
ui5 use openui5@latest                  # or sapui5@latest

# 3. Verify setup
ui5 tree                                # Show dependency tree
ui5 serve                               # Test development server

Project Types

UI5 CLI supports four project types, each with specific configurations:

1. Application

Standard UI5 applications with a webapp directory.

• Virtual path mapping: webapp/ → /
• Generates Component-preload.js when Component.js exists
• See templates/ui5.yaml.application for configuration template

2. Library

Reusable component libraries for sharing across projects.

• Virtual path mappings: src/ → /resources, test/ → /test-resources
• Requires namespace directory structure (e.g., src/my/company/library/)
• See templates/ui5.yaml.library for configuration template

3. Theme Library

Provides theming resources for libraries.

• Same virtual mappings as standard libraries
• Resources organized by namespace (e.g., my/library/themes/custom_theme/)
• See references/configuration.md for detailed configuration

4. Module

Third-party resources with flexible path mapping.

• Resources copied without modification
• Custom virtual-to-physical path mappings
• See references/project-types.md for module configuration

Core Commands Reference

Project Initialization

ui5 init                                # Initialize UI5 CLI configuration
ui5 use <framework>[@version]           # Set framework (openui5/sapui5)
ui5 add <libraries...>                  # Add framework libraries
ui5 remove <libraries...>               # Remove framework libraries

Development

ui5 serve [options]                     # Start development server
  --port <number>                       # Specify port (default: 8080)
  --open <path>                         # Open browser to path
  --h2                                  # Enable HTTP/2
  --accept-remote-connections           # Allow non-localhost access

ui5 tree [options]                      # Display dependency tree
  --flat                                # Show flat list
  --level <number>                      # Limit tree depth

Building

ui5 build [child-command] [options]     # Build project
  preload                               # Create preload bundles (default)
  self-contained                        # Create standalone bundle
  jsdoc                                 # Generate JSDoc documentation

  --all                                 # Include all dependencies
  --include-dependency <names>          # Include specific dependencies
  --exclude-dependency <names>          # Exclude dependencies
  --dest <path>                         # Output directory (default: ./dist)
  --clean-dest                          # Clean destination before build
  --create-build-manifest               # Store build metadata
  --experimental-css-variables          # Generate CSS variable artifacts [experimental]

Configuration

ui5 config set <key> [value]            # Set configuration value
ui5 config get <key>                    # Get configuration value
ui5 config list                         # List all settings

# Common configurations
ui5 config set ui5DataDir /path/.ui5    # Change cache directory

Utility

ui5 versions                            # Display all module versions
ui5 --help                              # Display help
ui5 --version                           # Display version

For complete command reference, see references/cli-commands.md.

Configuration File Structure

Basic ui5.yaml Structure

specVersion: "4.0"                      # Specification version (required)
type: application                       # Project type (required)
metadata:
  name: my.project.name                 # Project name (required)
  copyright: "© ${currentYear} Company" # Optional copyright

framework:
  name: SAPUI5                          # OpenUI5 or SAPUI5
  version: "1.120.0"                    # Framework version
  libraries:
    - name: sap.ui.core
    - name: sap.m
    - name: sap.ui.table
    - name: themelib_sap_fiori_3
      optional: true                    # Optional library

resources:
  configuration:
    paths:
      webapp: webapp                    # Path mapping
    propertiesFileSourceEncoding: UTF-8 # Encoding (default: UTF-8)

builder:
  resources:
    excludes:
      - "index.html"                    # Exclude from build
      - "/resources/my/project/test/**"

server:
  settings:
    httpPort: 8080                      # HTTP port
    httpsPort: 8443                     # HTTPS port

For complete configuration reference, see references/configuration.md.

Progressive Disclosure: Detailed References

This main skill file provides essential workflows and quick reference. For detailed information on specific topics, refer to these reference files:

Core References

• references/cli-commands.md: Complete CLI command reference with all options and examples
• references/configuration.md: Comprehensive ui5.yaml configuration guide (includes workspace config)
• references/project-structures.md: Detailed project types with directory structures and build output styles

Advanced Topics

• references/extensibility.md: Custom tasks, middleware, and project shims with complete API documentation
• references/filesystem-api.md: Complete FileSystem API for custom task/middleware development
• references/build-process.md: Complete build process including tasks, minification, source maps, and bundling
• references/server-features.md: Complete server documentation with middleware stack, HTTP/2, SSL, and CSP
• references/code-analysis.md: Dependency analyzers, JSDoc generation, and code analysis features
• references/es-support.md: Complete ECMAScript version support, restrictions, and module format requirements

Performance & Troubleshooting

• references/benchmarking.md: Performance testing and benchmarking with hyperfine
• references/migration-guides.md: Complete version migration guides (v1→v2→v3→v4)
• references/troubleshooting.md: Common issues, errors, and solutions with exact error messages

Common Workflows

Workflow 1: Setting Up a New Application

When to use: Starting a new SAPUI5/OpenUI5 application from scratch.

Steps:

1. Initialize npm project: npm init --yes
2. Install UI5 CLI: npm install --save-dev @ui5/cli
3. Initialize UI5 configuration: ui5 init
4. Select framework: ui5 use sapui5@latest (or openui5@latest)
5. Add required libraries: ui5 add sap.ui.core sap.m themelib_sap_fiori_3
6. Create application structure (webapp/, Component.js, manifest.json)
7. Start development server: ui5 serve
8. Commit configuration: git add ui5.yaml package.json && git commit

Workflow 2: Enabling CLI for Existing Project

When to use: Adding UI5 CLI support to an existing UI5 project.

Steps:

1. Navigate to project root
2. Run ui5 init to create ui5.yaml
3. Configure framework: ui5 use sapui5@latest
4. Add libraries: ui5 add sap.ui.core sap.m sap.ui.table
5. Adjust ui5.yaml resources.configuration.paths if needed
6. Test with ui5 serve
7. Build with ui5 build --all

Workflow 3: Creating a Custom Build Task

When to use: Extending the build process with custom processing.

Steps:

1. Create task file (e.g., lib/tasks/customTask.js)
2. Implement task using Task API (see templates/custom-task-template.js)
3. Create task extension in ui5.yaml or separate file
4. Configure task in builder.customTasks section
5. Test with ui5 build
6. For details, see references/extensibility.md

Workflow 4: Setting Up a Workspace/Monorepo

When to use: Managing multiple related UI5 projects in a single repository.

Steps:

1. Create ui5-workspace.yaml in root project
2. Define workspace name and dependency resolutions
3. Point to local project directories using relative paths
4. Use --workspace <name> flag to activate specific workspace
5. Run ui5 tree to verify dependency resolution
6. For details, see references/configuration.md (workspace section)

Workflow 5: Migrating to UI5 CLI v4

When to use: Upgrading from UI5 CLI v3 to v4.

Prerequisites:

• Verify Node.js v20.11.0+ or v22.0.0+
• Verify npm v8.0.0+

Steps:

1. Update CLI: npm install --save-dev @ui5/cli@latest
2. Update specVersion in ui5.yaml to "4.0"
3. Review breaking changes in references/migration-guides.md
4. Remove usePredefineCalls bundle option if present
5. Update bundle sections to use async: true for modern loading
6. Test build: ui5 build --all
7. Test server: ui5 serve
8. Verify application functionality

Decision Trees

Framework Selection Decision

Question: Which framework should I use?

Does project need SAP-specific components (e.g., sap.ui.comp, sap.ushell)?
├─ YES → Use SAPUI5
│  └─ Command: ui5 use sapui5@latest
└─ NO → Can use OpenUI5
   └─ Command: ui5 use openui5@latest

Note: SAPUI5 projects can depend on OpenUI5, but not vice versa.

Build Type Decision

Question: Which build type should I use?

What is the deployment target?
├─ Standard deployment (with separate framework loading)
│  └─ Use: ui5 build --all
│
├─ Standalone deployment (single bundle with framework)
│  └─ Use: ui5 build self-contained --all
│
├─ Documentation generation
│  └─ Use: ui5 build jsdoc
│
└─ Development/testing (no build needed)
   └─ Use: ui5 serve

Custom Extension Decision

Question: Should I create a custom task or middleware?

What do you need to extend?
├─ Build process (modify/generate resources during build)
│  └─ Create custom task (see templates/custom-task-template.js)
│     Examples: Transpiling, image optimization, file generation
│
├─ Development server (modify requests/responses during dev)
│  └─ Create custom middleware (see templates/custom-middleware-template.js)
│     Examples: Proxying, authentication, dynamic content
│
└─ Third-party library configuration
   └─ Create project shim (see references/extensibility.md)
      Examples: Configuring non-UI5 npm packages

Templates

This skill provides working templates for common configurations:

• templates/ui5.yaml.application: Complete application configuration
• templates/ui5.yaml.library: Complete library configuration
• templates/ui5-workspace.yaml: Monorepo workspace setup
• templates/custom-task-template.js: Custom build task boilerplate
• templates/custom-middleware-template.js: Custom server middleware boilerplate

Important Notes

Specification Versions

UI5 CLI uses specification versions to manage features:

• 4.0: Current version (requires CLI v4.0.0+, Node.js v20.11.0+)
• 3.0-3.2: Compatible with CLI v3.0.0+
• 2.0-2.6: Compatible with CLI v2.0.0+
• 0.1-1.1: Legacy versions (automatic migration attempted)

Always use the latest specVersion for new projects.

Framework Version Requirements

• OpenUI5: Minimum version 1.52.5
• SAPUI5: Minimum version 1.76.0

Development vs. Build

Important: During development, always use ui5 serve instead of ui5 build. Building should only occur when deploying to production. The development server provides:

• Faster reload times
• On-the-fly resource processing
• Better debugging experience
• Automatic dependency resolution

Global vs. Local Installation

When both global and local UI5 CLI installations exist, the local version takes precedence automatically. This allows different projects to use different CLI versions.

Override behavior: UI5_CLI_NO_LOCAL=X ui5 serve

Cache Management

UI5 CLI caches framework versions in ~/.ui5/ (configurable via ui5DataDir).

Clear cache: rm -rf ~/.ui5/framework/

Known Issues & Limitations

ECMAScript Module Limitations

UI5 CLI does not support JavaScript modules with import/export syntax. All modules must use sap.ui.define format.

Unsupported:

import Module from './module.js';
export default MyClass;

Supported:

sap.ui.define(['./module'], function(Module) {
    return MyClass;
});

Template Literal Restrictions

Expressions in template literals cannot be used in:

• Dependency declarations
• Smart Template names
• Library initialization calls

Unsupported:

sap.ui.define([`modules/${moduleName}`], ...);  // Will fail

Bundling Restrictions (v4.0+)

JavaScript modules requiring 'top level scope' cannot be bundled as strings. They will be omitted from bundles with error logging.

Manifest Version Compatibility

For UI5 1.71, manifest _version property must be ≤ 1.17.0 for supportedLocales generation. Update manifest version to match UI5 framework version.

Troubleshooting Quick Reference

For detailed troubleshooting, see references/troubleshooting.md.

Common Issues

Issue: ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome when accessing HTTP server

Solution: Chrome enforces HTTPS via HSTS. Clear HSTS settings:

1. Navigate to chrome://net-internals/#hsts
2. Enter domain (e.g., localhost)
3. Click "Delete"

Issue: Excessive disk space in ~/.ui5/

Solution: Clear cached framework versions:

rm -rf ~/.ui5/framework/

Issue: Build fails with "TypeError: invalid input"

Solution: Check manifest _version compatibility with UI5 framework version. For UI5 1.71, use manifest version ≤ 1.17.0.

Issue: Custom task not executing

Solution: Verify task configuration:

1. Check task is properly defined in ui5.yaml
2. Verify beforeTask or afterTask references valid task name
3. Check task file exports async function with correct signature
4. Use ui5 build --verbose for detailed logging

Environment Variables

• UI5_LOG_LVL: Set log level (silent/error/warn/info/perf/verbose/silly)
• UI5_DATA_DIR: Override default data directory (~/.ui5)
• UI5_CLI_NO_LOCAL: Disable local CLI precedence (use global)

Examples:

UI5_LOG_LVL=verbose ui5 build
UI5_DATA_DIR=/custom/.ui5 ui5 serve

Best Practices

1. Always commit ui5.yaml and package.json to version control
2. Use local CLI installation for project consistency (--save-dev)
3. Pin framework versions for production builds
4. Use workspaces for monorepo setups instead of npm linking
5. Enable HTTP/2 during development (ui5 serve --h2)
6. Clean builds for production (ui5 build --clean-dest --all)
7. Validate configurations before committing (use validation scripts)
8. Test with multiple browsers when using CSP policies
9. Document custom tasks and middleware in project README
10. Keep CLI updated to benefit from latest features and fixes

Additional Resources

• Official Documentation: https://ui5.github.io/cli/stable/
• API Reference: https://ui5.github.io/cli/v4/api/
• JSON Schema: https://ui5.github.io/cli/schema/ui5.yaml.json
• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/SAP/ui5-tooling
• SAP Community: https://community.sap.com/
• npm Registry: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@ui5/cli

Bundled Resources

Reference Documentation

• references/cli-commands.md - Complete CLI command reference
• references/configuration.md - Configuration options and ui5.yaml
• references/project-structures.md - Project structure patterns
• references/server-features.md - Development server features
• references/build-process.md - Build process and optimization
• references/es-support.md - ES module support
• references/extensibility.md - Extensibility options
• references/code-analysis.md - Code analysis tools
• references/migration-guides.md - Migration from older versions
• references/troubleshooting.md - Common issues and solutions
• references/benchmarking.md - Performance benchmarking

Templates

• templates/package.json.template - Package.json template

Version Information

• Skill Version: 1.0.0
• CLI Version Covered: 4.0.0+
• Last Updated: 2025-11-21
• Next Review: 2026-02-21 (Quarterly)

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This skill follows official Anthropic Agent Skills best practices and SAP UI5 CLI documentation standards.