In-Memory Mode

When to Use In-Memory Mode

• Build tools that process tokens from a database or API
• API endpoints that generate token output on request
• Unit tests that verify token output
• Serverless functions with read-only or ephemeral filesystems

Pass a ResolverDocument Directly

Instead of a path to a resolver file, pass a ResolverDocument object:

import type { ResolverDocument } from 'dispersa'
import { build, resolveTokens, resolveAllPermutations, css } from 'dispersa'
import { colorToHex } from 'dispersa/transforms'

const resolver: ResolverDocument = {
  version: '2025.10',
  sets: {
    base: {
      sources: [
        {
          color: {
            primary: {
              $type: 'color',
              $value: { colorSpace: 'srgb', components: [0, 0.4, 0.8] },
            },
          },
        },
      ],
    },
  },
  resolutionOrder: [{ $ref: '#/sets/base' }],
}

Omit buildPath — Output Stays in Memory

Do not set buildPath. Omit the file option on outputs. Generated content is available on output.content:

const result = await build({
  resolver,
  outputs: [
    css({
      name: 'css',
      preset: 'bundle',
      selector: ':root',
      transforms: [colorToHex()],
    }),
  ],
})

for (const output of result.outputs) {
  console.log(output.content) // CSS string
}

Token Resolution Without Rendering

Use resolveTokens() to resolve tokens for a single permutation without rendering:

const tokens = await resolveTokens(resolver, { theme: 'light' })
// Use tokens for validation, transformation, or custom rendering

Use resolveAllPermutations() to get all permutations at once:

const allPermutations = await resolveAllPermutations(resolver)
// allPermutations is an array of { tokens, modifierInputs } for each modifier combination

Testing Example

Write unit tests that verify token output without writing files:

const result = await build({
  resolver: testResolver,
  outputs: [css({ name: 'css', preset: 'bundle', selector: ':root', transforms: [colorToHex()] })],
})
expect(result.outputs[0].content).toContain('--color-primary: #0066cc')

TypeScript Type Generation Generate TypeScript declaration files from your resolved tokens for type-safe token access.