Local Summernote: Hosting JS & CSS Without Bootstrap

Oct 30, 2025 by Admin 53 views

Hey guys! So, you're loving Summernote, that awesome WYSIWYG editor, and you want to host it locally? Awesome! This guide will walk you through setting up Summernote's JavaScript (JS) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) files locally, without relying on Bootstrap. Trust me, it's super easy, and we'll avoid those pesky "unknown character" icons you might encounter. Let's dive in!

The Summernote Setup: The Essentials

First off, let's make sure we're all on the same page. You've probably already downloaded Summernote, and maybe even got it working using a CDN (Content Delivery Network). That's great, but what if you want to take things offline, or just have more control over the files? That's where local hosting comes in. The core files you'll need are the Summernote JS and CSS files, and a specific directory.

Downloading the Necessary Files

Get the Compiled Files: Head over to the Summernote website and download the compiled version. You can find a handy “Download Compiled” button. This will get you a ZIP file containing everything you need. Think of it as your Summernote starter kit.
Unzip and Explore: Once downloaded, unzip the file. Inside, you'll find different versions, but for this guide, we're focusing on the "lite" version, which is the easiest to set up without Bootstrap. You will see several files and folders. We will make a few modifications to streamline the process.
The Key Files: The vital components are: summernote.min.js, summernote-lite.min.js (the lite version, if you want the basic API) and the summernote.min.css and summernote-lite.min.css. You'll also need the /font directory. This is where the icon fonts live, and without them, you'll see those annoying "unknown character" placeholders instead of the beautiful Summernote icons. Remember this directory! It's super important.

Directory Structure

To make things super organized, here's a recommended directory structure. You can of course arrange things as you like, but this is a solid starting point.

/your-project/
├── css/
│   └── summernote-lite.min.css (or summernote.min.css)
├── js/
│   └── summernote-lite.min.js (or summernote.min.js)
├── fonts/
│   └──  (all files from the /font directory from the download)
└── your-html-file.html

This structure keeps things clean and makes it easy to reference the files in your HTML.

Implementing Summernote Locally

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and integrate Summernote into your HTML file. This part is where you'll link the CSS and JS files and initialize the editor. It is very simple!

Linking the CSS and JS Files

Open your HTML file and add the following code within the <head> section. This is how you tell the browser where to find the Summernote styles and functionality.

<head>
    <link href="css/summernote-lite.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
</head>

Next, place the following code before the closing </body> tag. This links the JavaScript file and allows Summernote to work its magic.

<script src="js/summernote-lite.min.js"></script>

Make sure the paths to the CSS and JS files match where you saved them in your project directory. If you put the files in a different location, adjust the paths accordingly.

Initializing Summernote

Alright, almost there! Now, let's tell Summernote to activate itself on a specific element. Find a <textarea> element in your HTML. This will be the area where the editor will appear. If you don't have one, create one.

<textarea id="summernote" name="editordata"></textarea>

Then, add the following JavaScript code, ideally within a <script> tag after you've linked the Summernote JS file (i.e., just before the closing </body> tag).

<script>
    $(document).ready(function() {
      $('#summernote').summernote();
    });
</script>

This code waits for the DOM (Document Object Model) to be fully loaded and then initializes Summernote on the <textarea> element with the ID "summernote".

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go perfectly, and that's okay! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them.

The Missing Icons Problem

If you see those "unknown character" placeholders instead of the Summernote icons, it's almost certainly because the browser can't find the font files. Double-check these things:

Font Directory: Ensure the /font directory (which contains the font files) is in the correct location relative to your CSS file.
CSS Paths: Open your summernote-lite.min.css file and check the paths to the font files. They should be relative to the CSS file's location. If the paths are wrong, you'll need to edit the CSS file to point to the correct /font directory location. This is often the fix!
Server Configuration: Make sure your web server is configured to serve font files correctly. This usually means setting the correct MIME type for font files (e.g., .woff, .ttf, .svg). Your server may already be configured to do this, but if not, check your server's documentation on how to configure this part.

Why Local Hosting Matters

So, why bother hosting Summernote locally? Here's the deal:

Speed: Loading files from your local server is often faster than fetching them from a CDN, especially for users on your local network. This makes your application feel snappier.
Control: You have complete control over the files and how they're served. You can customize them or apply version control easily.
Reliability: You're not dependent on an external CDN. If the CDN goes down, your editor will still work.
Offline Access: Local hosting lets you use Summernote even when you're offline or in an environment without internet access.

Conclusion: You Got This!

That's it, guys! You should now have a fully functional Summernote editor hosted locally, without the need for Bootstrap. It might seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's super simple. Remember to pay close attention to the file paths and the /font directory, and you should be golden. If you have any problems, don't sweat it. Double-check your code, read the documentation, and remember that everyone makes mistakes. Happy editing!