# LESS Compiling of variables.less throwing error

**URL:** https://discourse.roots.io/t/less-compiling-of-variables-less-throwing-error/103
**Category:** uncategorized
**Created:** 2013-08-18T16:56:09Z
**Posts:** 6

## Post 1 by @tigre — 2013-08-18T16:56:09Z

First, thanks for the great base theme template. I’m currently using Bones by Themble for a few other sites, but came across this looking for alternatives!

I’m having an issue with LESS. I was adding variables to the `variables.less` file, and upon saving and compiling with CodeKit, I get this error:

```
undefined_methodError: error evaluating function `lighten`: Object #<Object> has no method 'toHSL' in /Users/amores/Sites/afl_v2/wp-content/themes/retlehs-roots-a56551a/assets/less/variables.less on line 43, column 25:
42 @link-color: @brand-primary;
43 @link-hover-color: lighten(@link-color, 15%);
```

Trying `darken` also throws the same error. Any one else having this experience/issue? Is it the less.js that’s screwy or just me?

My CodeKit is in its latest build (1.7.1).

Thanks!

Tigre

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## Post 2 by @leoj3n — 2013-08-19T03:31:48Z

Maybe try using the command line instead of CodeKit?

```
npm install -g less
lessc styles.less styles.css
```

[http://lesscss.org](http://lesscss.org)

---

## Post 3 by @cluendo — 2013-08-19T12:28:03Z

You can try to use [Prepros App](http://alphapixels.com/prepros/). It works well for me.  
And yeah as the last and I assume the best way is to use command line if you feel comfortable with it.

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## Post 4 by @tigre — 2013-08-19T14:59:04Z

Thanks for the tips and assistance.

I tried running the node packet manager in the less folder of roots like you suggested, @leoj3n, but I get the error

```
$ npm install less
 -bash: npm: command not found
```

I’m not familiar enough with `npm` to know where I’m going wrong on that.

@cluendo, I downloaded the Prepos App (nice iOS 7 flat design!) and added the roots theme folder to it. Made adjustments and am still getting the same error as I had in CodeKit:

```
error evaluating function `lighten`: Object #<Object> has no method 'toHSL'
/Volumes/Macintosh HD/Users/amores/Sites/afl_v2/wp-content/themes/retlehs-roots-a56551a/assets/less/variables.less line 43
```

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## Post 5 by @chriscarr — 2013-08-19T18:46:38Z

What is @brand-primary set to? Sounds like it might not be a color…

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## Post 6 by @tigre — 2013-08-19T19:06:45Z

thanks @chriscarr, that was it. an extra digit was lurking in the hex code. ::slaps forehead::