Menu

1 / 2

esbuild Has a Free API That Compiles JavaScript 100x Faster Than Webpack

DEV Community: esbuild·Alex Spinov·5 months ago
#4vWfTJ0K
#dev#esbuild#build#true#article
Reading 0:00
15s threshold

esbuild is the Go-powered JavaScript bundler that transformed the build tool landscape. Its API is minimal but incredibly powerful.

The Build API

import * as esbuild from " esbuild " ;

await esbuild . build ({ entryPoints : [ " src/index.ts " ], bundle : true , minify : true , sourcemap : true , splitting : true , format : " esm " , target : [ " es2020 " ], outdir : " dist " , metafile : true , // Generate build analysis });

Enter fullscreen mode

Exit fullscreen mode

The Transform API: In-Memory Compilation

const result = await esbuild . transform ( tsCode , { loader : " tsx " , target : " es2020 " , jsx : " automatic " , minify : true , });

console . log ( result . code ); // Compiled JS console . log ( result . map ); // Source map

Enter fullscreen mode

Exit fullscreen mode

No filesystem. No config files. Pure in-memory transformation.

Plugin API: Extend Everything

const httpPlugin = { name : " http-import " , setup ( build ) { // Intercept HTTP imports build . onResolve ({ filter : /^https ?…

Continue reading — create a free account

Join HashtagPLUS to read full articles, follow hashtags, vote, and join the conversation.