The CJS Build of Vite’s Node API is Deprecated.

The cjs build of vite's node api is deprecated.
With the release of Vite 5, developers might encounter a deprecation warning regarding the CJS (CommonJS) build of Vite’s Node API. This article aims to explain why this deprecation occurs, the implications for your projects, and how to adapt your configurations to ensure compatibility with the latest standards.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Deprecation

The deprecation of the CJS build in Vite’s Node API reflects a broader trend in the JavaScript ecosystem: the move towards ECMAScript Modules (ESM). Vite, as a modern build tool optimized for ESM, has deprecated its CJS build to encourage developers to adopt the more efficient and standard-compliant ESM format.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Configuration File Type:

If you are using a vite.config.ts file and encounter the warning, ensure that your package.json has "type": "module". Without this, Vite defaults to CJS, triggering the deprecation warning. Changing your config file extension to .mts (e.g., vite.config.mts) can also resolve the issue​ (GitHub)​​ (GitHub)​.

2. Dependency Compatibility

Some dependencies, like CKEditor 5, may still use CJS by default. In such cases, you need to configure Vite to handle these dependencies correctly. For CKEditor 5, using createRequire(import.meta.url) instead of require.resolve can help maintain compatibility​ (Stack Overflow)​.

3. Storybook Integration

If you’re integrating Vite with Storybook and see the deprecation warning, updating to the latest versions that support ESM will typically resolve the issue. Ensure your setup aligns with the latest documentation and best practices to avoid these warnings​ (GitHub)​.

Steps to Migrate to ESM

1. Update Configuration Files

Rename your configuration files to use .mts for TypeScript or .mjs for JavaScript. This explicitly indicates that they should be treated as ESM.

2. Modify package.json

Add "type": "module" to your package.json to enable ESM throughout your project. This change can prevent the deprecation warning from appearing during the build process.

3. Review and Update Dependencies

Check your dependencies for ESM support. Some older packages may need to be replaced or updated to versions that support ESM.

4. Use Dynamic Import

Replace require statements with dynamic import statements where necessary. This change aligns with the ESM syntax and ensures compatibility with Vite 5.

5. Testing and Validation

After making these changes, thoroughly test your application to ensure that everything works as expected. Look out for any remaining CJS usage that might trigger warnings.

Final Thoughts

The deprecation of the CJS build in Vite’s Node API marks a significant step towards a more modern and efficient JavaScript ecosystem. By updating your project to use ESM, you can take full advantage of Vite’s capabilities and ensure long-term compatibility with future updates.

For further details and specific examples, refer to the Vite troubleshooting guide and community discussions on platforms like GitHub and Stack Overflow​ (GitHub)​​ (Stack Overflow)​​ (GitHub)​.

Written By,

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Md Monayem Islam

Hey, I'm Md Monayem Islam. I’m a Full Stack Developer with extensive expertise in Laravel (PHP), Vue.js (TypeScript), and API development. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in building dynamic and scalable web applications. Previously, I worked on a variety of projects, creating robust solutions and enhancing the user experience for clients worldwide. Now, I’m here to share my knowledge and help you develop web applications.

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