- .less parser switch from PHP lessc to a C++ implemenation (or Node.Js)
change directory into the root of your Magento 2 installation select LESS C++ (recommended!) or use alternative of Node.Js Lessc, which is most likely already included in with your Magento 2 install.
C++ implementation of lessc parser (MUCH FASTER!)
wget https://github.com/BramvdKroef/clessc/archive/master.zip; unzip master.zip; cd ./clessc-master/;
./autogen.sh; ./configure; make; make install;
clessc -h
should now display an output
Node JS alternative (faster than the PHP version but, bleh node.js!)
npm install grunt-contrib-less --save-dev; mv vendor/bin/lessc vendor/bin/lessc.php;
ln -nsT ../../node_modules/grunt-contrib-less/node_modules/.bin/lessc vendor/bin/lessc; chmod +x vendor/bin/lessc;
Now simply mv the existing PHP lessc compiler to lessc.php and symlink
the C++ clessc or Node.JS lessc bin executables. whereis clessc
for path
mv vendor/bin/lessc vendor/bin/lessc.php;
ln -nsT ../../node_modules/grunt-contrib-less/node_modules/.bin/lessc vendor/bin/lessc; chmod +x vendor/bin/lessc;
BONUS
Simple bash script to check CWD is Magento 2 root folder
if [ ! -f "bin/magento" ]; then
echo "Magento directory not found, are you in the Magento 2 root folder?"
exit 1;
fi
EVEN MORE BONUS!
Someone else has already packaged up the NodeJs lessc switch as a M2 module: