Working locally with HUBL Server

[devoidofgenius]

So I'm attempting to get set up using HUBL Server to begin developing locally. I have followed the documentation and have gotten to the point where I can view the Template Links. However, this is where things start veering away from the default Vast theme I was referencing.

The 'page' folder in the Vast theme contains HTML files whereas my 'page' folder contains only JavaScript and CSS files. The Vast theme has a 'custom-modules' folder with JSON files containing everything needed to build a module whereas my theme has only a 'modules' folder that contains folders which contain fields.json, meta.json, module.css, module.html, and module.js files.

I'm totally new to HubSpot so I'm not sure why these themes aren't similar. I would really appreciate any assistance getting these modules output on the page like the Vast theme. It seems like once I get over this hurdle I can work on building out templates in my local development workflow. Can someone point me in the right direction?

[benf2489]

Any movement on this issue?

I've tried to get a better idea with a sparse amount of documentation but when I create a file in hubspot through design manager (to find where maybe I should add my files) the folder contents although is in the same place on the FTP it's different when viewing it on hubspot design manager. 

I've cloned custom modules to files so I can get them out and see if I can use them within local HubL server templates but when I login to the FTP they are not there.

Finally I cannot create folders within the FTP anywhere it just throws an error about permissions being set at 550.

[roisinkirby]

Hi @benf2489 please can you contact the technical support team directly via the Help button in your account. This will be the fastest way to troubleshoot. 

[benf2489]

Hi @roisinkirby, I have - While there are people looking into this it was suggested I post here and seeming as someone has already asked the question....

Thanks

[douglaswelcome]

Any more updates on this? The documenation is so stinkin sparse and all I get redirected to is this:

https://community.hubspot.com/t5/CMS-Development/Can-you-setup-local-development-on-HubSpot-CMS/td-p...

[andrewabogado]

New to Hubspot here. I'm very much interested if there's a better workflow working locally. 

[roisinkirby]

Hi all - my apologies for the delay here.

The following updates have been made to the Local HubL Server.

1. We’ve added support for Java 9+
2. The Local HubL Server now supports the new Modules framework and mock modules
3. Added mock data for contacts, accounts, and owners
4. Updated the HubL functions and tags library

How do I get it?:
The latest package can be downloaded here.

Who is it available to?
The local HubL Server can now be used by all Marketing Hub Basic, Professional, or Enterprise users who develop on the HubSpot platform. 

If you have any further questions please let me know and I can put you in touch with a Design specialist 

[ivan_bettarini]

any response?

i really start thinking that it's not ready for work local

other question i can use 'custom module', 'forms', 'cta' on local server
how can upload this json files, or folder structure?

the difference between ftp, local structure and the design manager folder

probabily the only solution it's to work only on design manager

[roisinkirby]

@devoidofgenius sorry for the delay here! For reference could you please share a URL to the documentation you referenced and screenshots of progress so far?

[devoidofgenius]

@roisinkirby 

I followed the documentation located here: https://designers.hubspot.com/docs/tools/local-hubl-server

So the first thing I noticed is that after pulling in the directory via FTP the HUBL Server fails to start. This is the portal directory containing the content folder.

The reason for the HUBL Server not starting is the lack of a custom-modules folder. Placing an empty folder inside of the portal folder allows the server to start.

The folder structure also differs from the Vast theme in that the content folder contains a template subdirectory, within that there is a custom directory containing the same folder structure as the custom folder inside of the Vast theme. I'm not sure if the structure of the folders really matters much, if at all.

Once pulling everything in and starting the HUBL Server I'm presented with a list of Template Links.

This is where things begin to confuse me. Inside of the Design Manager dashboard, I'm presented with a folder structure that is different from the one available via FTP. There are two separate directories containing the same folder structure, but I only have one available to me via FTP.

The one that I don't have available to me is the one that contains all of the templates I would be using. The one I have access to really only contains CSS files, not the actual templates. Without being able to compare Vast and the custom template within the Design Manager I'm not sure if this is normal.

This gives you a little more information regarding the issues I've faced so far. The ultimate goal is to have a development process that involves creating blog/page modules locally and being able to upload them via FTP to create blog and page templates. This way we can use our current workflow and build processes instead of developing modules and pages in the browser. I'd like to know what I need to do to accomplish this. Any help to get this moving forward would be appreciated.

[Gareth_l]

Hi

Did you manage to figure this out? I am stuck on with this as well.

Thanks

[devoidofgenius]

@Gareth_l I have not, unfortunately. It seems as though Hubspot's support on this issue is slow moving. Keep an eye out on this thread and hopefully, I will get a response soon. If I find an acceptable solution I will try to mention you so it brings it to your attention. There really should be better documentation for this.

[AndrewBoyd]

This is a real problem. 5 weeks without an answer is not great for paying customers. I too would like to see this resolved.