CSS Merge - The Ultimate CSS Optimizer for VS Code 🎨

🚀 Introduction

CSS Merge is a powerful VS Code extension designed to supercharge your CSS development workflow. With just one click, you can merge duplicate media queries, optimize selectors and dramatically reduce file sizes across CSS, SCSS and Less files.

Say goodbye to bloated stylesheets and embrace clean, optimized CSS that loads faster and performs better!

🌟 Why Use CSS Merge?

• ✅ One-Click Optimization: Transform messy CSS into clean, organized code instantly.
• ✅ Multi-Format Support: Works seamlessly with CSS, SCSS and Less files.
• ✅ Performance Boost: Reduce file sizes by up to 40% and improve load times.
• ✅ Duplicate Elimination: Automatically removes redundant rules and properties.
• ✅ Media Query Consolidation: Merges identical breakpoints into single blocks.
• ✅ Enhanced Developer Experience: Clean code means better maintainability.

⚡ Key Features & Benefits

🔹 1. Media Query Consolidation

Automatically merges duplicate media queries:

• Combines identical breakpoints
• Preserves CSS cascade order
• Maintains responsive design integrity

🔹 2. Selector Optimization

• Merges duplicate selectors
• Combines properties efficiently
• Removes redundant declarations

🔹 3. Multi-Format Compatibility

• CSS: Standard CSS files
• SCSS: Sass with CSS syntax
• Less: Less preprocessor files

🔹 4. Performance Enhancement

• File size reduction up to 40%
• Faster page load times
• Improved Core Web Vitals
• Better SEO performance

🎯 How to Use CSS Merge?

🔸 Quick Start Guide

1. Open any CSS/SCSS/Less file in VS Code
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
3. Type CSS Merge: Optimize CSS
4. Watch your file get optimized and saved automatically! ✨

📊 Before & After Example

❌ Before Optimization:

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .header { color: red; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .footer { color: blue; }
}

.button { padding: 10px; }
.button { margin: 5px; }
.button { border: 1px solid #ccc; }

/* File size: 180 bytes */

✅ After Optimization:

.button {
  padding: 10px;
  margin: 5px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .header { color: red; }
  .footer { color: blue; }
}

/* File size: 120 bytes (33% reduction!) */

🔥 What Makes CSS Merge Special?

🎯 Beyond Manual Optimization – A Developer's Best Friend

• Unlike manual cleanup, CSS Merge:

  • Processes entire files in seconds
  • Never misses duplicate rules
  • Maintains proper CSS cascade order

• Unlike other CSS tools, CSS Merge:

  • Works directly in VS Code
  • Supports all major CSS preprocessors
  • Preserves vendor prefixes and complex selectors

• Unlike online optimizers, CSS Merge:

  • Keeps your code secure and local
  • Integrates seamlessly with your workflow
  • No file upload or internet connection required

📋 Requirements

• 💻 VS Code 1.98.0 or higher
• 🚫 No additional dependencies required
• ⚡ Works offline

⚠️ Known Issues

• Complex nested selectors may require manual review
• Vendor prefixes are preserved but may need reordering
• Very large files (>1MB) may take a few seconds to process

📝 Release Notes

🎉 1.0.0 - Initial Release

What's New:

• ✨ Media query consolidation
• 🎯 CSS selector optimization
• 📱 Multi-format support (CSS/SCSS/Sass/Less)
• 🗑️ Duplicate removal functionality
• ⚡ One-click optimization

📌 Installation & Setup

1. Open VS Code and go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
2. Search for CSS Merge
3. Click Install
4. Start optimizing with Ctrl+Shift+P → CSS Merge: Optimize CSS

💡 Pro Tips

• 🔄 Backup first: Always commit your changes before optimization
• 📱 Test responsive: Check your responsive design after optimization
• ⚡ Batch process: Optimize multiple files in your project
• 🎯 Regular cleanup: Run CSS Merge before each deployment

💡 Conclusion

If you're looking to write cleaner CSS, improve website performance and streamline your development workflow, CSS Merge is the perfect extension for you.

✅ Install now and experience the power of optimized CSS! 🚀🎨

Enjoy creating beautiful, optimized stylesheets! ✨