diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a7fb8992..6e981c15 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.9.2
+
+_5 nov 2024_
+
+- Fixed Element related tests
+- Bumped renderer to version 2.6.0
+
 ## v1.9.1
 
 _4 nov 2024_
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index a64812bf..ad526e5e 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 {
   "name": "@lightningjs/blits",
-  "version": "1.9.1",
+  "version": "1.9.2",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@lightningjs/blits",
-      "version": "1.9.1",
+      "version": "1.9.2",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@lightningjs/msdf-generator": "^1.1.0",
-        "@lightningjs/renderer": "^2.5.1"
+        "@lightningjs/renderer": "^2.6.0"
       },
       "bin": {
         "blits": "bin/index.js"
@@ -787,9 +787,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/@lightningjs/renderer": {
-      "version": "2.5.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@lightningjs/renderer/-/renderer-2.5.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-zCnuMUBQG4BekEvXcutgPb9zZu2dxYX/hcNIE9ZGMC6Usm+p2FPSyhB3W8QqKHS64pP1hhWTcfoEO1rPKdK43Q==",
+      "version": "2.6.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@lightningjs/renderer/-/renderer-2.6.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-JDIeDLKN3tA1LGZgZovcbrL8I9sSvQotFROALVq1OXtSYM9FECkVi7dQMeyQ2s/tjZ74QDh6UPS9blgVsCq0Sw==",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "engines": {
         "node": ">= 20.9.0",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index a3947641..f6bffd13 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lightningjs/blits",
-  "version": "1.9.1",
+  "version": "1.9.2",
   "description": "Blits: The Lightning 3 App Development Framework",
   "bin": "bin/index.js",
   "exports": {
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
     "./transitions": "./src/router/transitions/index.js",
     "./precompiler": "./src/lib/precompiler/precompiler.js",
     "./plugins": "./src/plugins/index.js",
-    "./symbols": "./src/lib/symbols.js"
+    "./symbols": "./src/lib/symbols.js",
+    "./blitsFileConverter": "./src/lib/blitsfileconverter/blitsfileconverter.js"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "test": "c8 npm run test:run",
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@lightningjs/msdf-generator": "^1.1.0",
-    "@lightningjs/renderer": "^2.5.1"
+    "@lightningjs/renderer": "^2.6.0"
   },
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/js/default/blits.d.ts b/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/js/default/blits.d.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c19c1261
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/js/default/blits.d.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+// required for suppressing vscode typescript errors when importing .blits files in JS/TS files
+declare module '*.blits' {
+  const value: any;
+  export default value;
+}
diff --git a/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/ts/default/blits.d.ts b/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/ts/default/blits.d.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c19c1261
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/create-blits/boilerplate/ts/default/blits.d.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+// required for suppressing vscode typescript errors when importing .blits files in JS/TS files
+declare module '*.blits' {
+  const value: any;
+  export default value;
+}
diff --git a/src/engines/L3/element.test.js b/src/engines/L3/element.test.js
index d3fabb69..f1a5e73e 100644
--- a/src/engines/L3/element.test.js
+++ b/src/engines/L3/element.test.js
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ test('Element - Set `w` property', (assert) => {
 
   assert.equal(el.node['width'], 100, 'Node width parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['width'], 100, 'Props width parameter should be set')
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('w'), 100, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['w'], 100, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ test('Element - Set `mount` property', (assert) => {
   assert.equal(el.node['mountY'], 20, 'Node mountY parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['mountX'], 10, 'Props mountX parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['mountY'], 20, 'Props mountY parameter should be set')
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('mount'), value, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['mount'], value, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ test('Element - Set `color` property', (assert) => {
 
   assert.equal(el.node['color'], '0xf0ffffff', 'Node color parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['color'], '0xf0ffffff', 'Props color parameter should be set')
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('color'), 'azure', "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['color'], 'azure', "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ test('Element - Set `src` property', (assert) => {
 
   assert.equal(el.node['src'], value, 'Node src parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['src'], value, 'Props src parameter should be set')
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('src'), value, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['src'], value, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.equal(el.props.props['color'], 0xffffffff, 'Props default color parameter should be set')
   assert.end()
 })
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ test('Element - Set `texture` property', (assert) => {
 
   assert.equal(el.node['texture'], 'foo', 'Node texture parameter should be set')
   assert.equal(el.props.props['texture'], 'foo', 'Props texture parameter should be set')
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('texture'), 'foo', "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['texture'], 'foo', "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.equal(el.props.props['color'], 0xffffffff, 'Props default color parameter should be set')
   assert.end()
 })
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ test('Element - Set `fit` property with a string type value', (assert) => {
     fitVal,
     'Props textureOptions parameter should be set'
   )
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('fit'), fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['fit'], fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ test('Element - Set `fit` property with an object type value', (assert) => {
     1,
     'Node resizeMode "clipY" parameter should be set to correct value'
   )
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('fit'), fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['fit'], fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ test('Element - Set `fit` property with position key as a string type value', (a
     1,
     'Node resizeMode "clipY" parameter should be set to correct value'
   )
-  assert.equal(el.props.raw.get('fit'), fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
+  assert.equal(el.props.raw['fit'], fitVal, "Props' raw map entry should be added")
   assert.end()
 })
 
diff --git a/src/lib/blitsfileconverter/blitsfileconverter.js b/src/lib/blitsfileconverter/blitsfileconverter.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a6e8b222
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/blitsfileconverter/blitsfileconverter.js
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+export default (source) => {
+  const { template, script } = parseBlitsFile(source)
+  return injectTemplate(script, template)
+}
+
+const parseBlitsFile = (source) => {
+  const templateMatch = source.match(/<template>([\s\S]*?)<\/template>/)
+  const scriptMatch = source.match(/<script(?:\s+lang=["'](?:js|ts)["'])?\s*>([\s\S]*?)<\/script>/)
+
+  return {
+    template: templateMatch ? templateMatch[1].trim() : '',
+    script: scriptMatch ? scriptMatch[1].trim() : '',
+  }
+}
+
+const injectTemplate = (script, template) => {
+  const componentRegex =
+    /(Blits\.Component|Component)\s*\(\s*(['"`])(?:(?=(\\?))\3.)*?\2\s*,\s*\{|Blits\.Application\s*\(\s*\{/
+
+  const match = script.match(componentRegex)
+
+  if (!match) {
+    // we might consider initializing a component if it's not found automatically
+    throw new Error(
+      'Could not find Blits.Component, Component, or Blits.Application initialization in the script'
+    )
+  }
+
+  // The insertion point is right after the opening curly brace
+  const insertIndex = match.index + match[0].length
+
+  // Using template literals to preserve multiline strings and escape characters
+  const injection = `\n  template: \`${template.replace(/`/g, '\\`')}\`,\n`
+  return script.slice(0, insertIndex) + injection + script.slice(insertIndex)
+}
diff --git a/vite/blitsFileConverter.js b/vite/blitsFileConverter.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..efae87b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vite/blitsFileConverter.js
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import blitsfileconverter from '../src/lib/blitsfileconverter/blitsfileconverter.js'
+
+export default function blitsFileType() {
+  return {
+    name: 'vite-plugin-blits-file-type',
+    enforce: 'pre',
+    transform(src, id) {
+      if (id.endsWith('.blits')) {
+        try {
+          const transformedCode = blitsfileconverter(src)
+          return {
+            code: transformedCode,
+            map: null, // no source map
+          }
+        } catch (error) {
+          this.error(error)
+        }
+      }
+    },
+  }
+}
diff --git a/vite/index.js b/vite/index.js
index 865f22b4..06a3b45a 100644
--- a/vite/index.js
+++ b/vite/index.js
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@
 
 import preCompiler from './preCompiler.js'
 import msdfGenerator from './msdfGenerator.js'
+import blitsFileConverter from './blitsFileConverter.js'
 
 export { default as preCompiler } from './preCompiler.js'
 export { default as msdfGenerator } from './msdfGenerator.js'
+export { default as blitsFileConverter } from './blitsFileConverter.js'
 
-export default [preCompiler(), msdfGenerator()]
+export default [blitsFileConverter(), preCompiler(), msdfGenerator()]
diff --git a/vite/msdfGenerator.js b/vite/msdfGenerator.js
index d3b85b5a..2e06f015 100644
--- a/vite/msdfGenerator.js
+++ b/vite/msdfGenerator.js
@@ -1,3 +1,20 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
 import path from 'path'
 import * as fs from 'fs'
 import { createHash } from 'crypto'
diff --git a/vite/preCompiler.js b/vite/preCompiler.js
index 5f524d51..efc44691 100644
--- a/vite/preCompiler.js
+++ b/vite/preCompiler.js
@@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ export default function () {
     },
     transform(source, filePath) {
       if (config.blits && config.blits.precompile === false) return source
+
+      const fileExtension = path.extname(filePath)
+
+      // we should only precompile .js and .ts files
+      if (fileExtension === '.js' || fileExtension === '.ts') {
+        return compiler(source, filePath)
+      }
       const relativePath = path.relative(process.cwd(), filePath)
       return compiler(source, relativePath)
     },