Add support for JS functions in plugins list in Stylelint config

[phoenisx]

What is the problem you're trying to solve?

Using stylelint as a library in JS (NodeJS/Deno) does not accept JS functions as plugins: [] config values. It only works with string type for now.

Is it possible to support both?

What solution would you like to see?

Allow developers to, when using stylelint as JS library, to pass locally developed stylelint plugins as config param. For e.g.

stylelint({
  rules: {
    "private/rule-name": true,
  },
  plugins: [require("./plugin-path")],
})

I guess this can be resolved easily if we add a check in lib/augmentConfig.js#addPluginFunctions to separate string and JS function types as plugins passed in the config and run the logic accordingly.

[ybiquitous]

@phoenisx Thanks for the proposal. As you commented, I also guess it's possible to implement this feature relatively easily.

I'd just like to confirm, what kind of use cases do you have? The following simple case seems to have not much benefit. 🤔

-plugins: ["./plugin-path"],
+plugins: [require("./plugin-path")],

[phoenisx]

Hi @ybiquitous! Thanks for the quick reply 🙇🏽

I'd just like to confirm, what kind of use cases do you have?

If stylelint is used as a library and bundled into a project that can run in a different context (environment, directory etc.), while the end-user using that bundled project running it in a different context, stylelint fails to require inlined (private) plugins that got bundled in it.
For e.g Editor extensions, where the extension's runtime context is kept separate from a user's runtime context.

There's a hack I've been using right now, which seems okay, but would love to see this in-built.
I see even PostCSS plugin API supports such an API.
Would love to help add support for this, if approved!!

P.S: I already have a working patch ready for this 😉

[ybiquitous]

@phoenisx Thank you for your explanation. I understand your background well. Also, it's so nice if you have a patch already.

Since I believe this addition would not break anything, I've labeled the issue as ready to implement.

If anyone has concerns, please feel free to comment.

[phoenisx]

Apologies for the delay, was a bit occupied.
I raised the PR with the required changes #6481 🙌🏽