How to Set the Default Browser for an Angular 2 Application Using npm start

Learn how to easily change your default browser to `Chrome` for launching Angular 2 applications in Visual Studio Code by modifying the package.json file.
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How to Set the Default Browser for an Angular 2 Application Using npm start

If you're building an Angular 2 application using Visual Studio Code (VSCode) and find that your default browser is Internet Explorer (IE), you're likely wondering how to change this to a more preferred browser, like Chrome. By default, when you run npm start to launch your application, it may open in IE, which can be less than ideal for development.

In this post, we'll guide you through making the adjustments necessary to change your default browser when using the Angular CLI. Let's dive into the simple steps you need to take!

Understanding the Problem

When you run your Angular 2 application with the command npm start, it typically opens in the machine's default web browser. For many users, this is either Internet Explorer or Edge, which may not provide the best development experience. This can lead to issues, particularly if you're looking to utilize modern web features or want a smoother development workflow.

Solution: Changing the Default Browser through package.json

To redirect your Angular application to launch in Chrome instead of the default browser, you'll need to make a small modification in your project's package.json file. Here’s how to do it:

Steps to Change the Default Browser

Open your Angular project folder in Visual Studio Code.

Navigate to the package.json file:

This file is located at the root of your Angular 2 project.

Locate the scripts section:

Within package.json, find the section labeled scripts which contains commands to run your application.

Modify the start script:

You'll want to update the start command to include your preferred browser. Replace the existing start script with this code snippet:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this command:

Replace chrome with whichever browser you prefer, like firefox or edge, if needed.

Ensure the URL http://localhost:4200 corresponds to your application's startup address.

Save the changes to the package.json file.

Testing the Configuration

To check if the changes have worked:

Open your terminal and navigate to your Angular project directory.

Run the command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Upon execution, it should now launch your application in Chrome (or your chosen browser) before compiling the Angular project. You might notice a "page not found" prompt briefly before the application loads.

Final Thoughts

Changing the default browser for your Angular applications can significantly enhance your development process by allowing you to use the tools and features that suit your style better. By following the steps outlined above, you can configure your development environment to use Chrome or any other preferred browser with ease!

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!