babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables

1.3.1 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript maintenance

A Babel plugin that replaces identifier references with literal values during compilation. Version 1.3.1 is the latest stable release. It supports simple literal replacements (strings, booleans) as well as complex expressions via AST nodes. The plugin is commonly used for compile-time constants like __DEV__ or __VERSION__. Compared to alternatives like babel-plugin-replace-identifiers, this one replaces identifiers with literal values, not other identifiers. Low maintenance and simple API, suitable for projects using Babel 6/7.

Common errors

error Cannot find module 'babel-plugin-inline-replace-varibles' ↓

cause Misspelled package name: 'varibles' instead of 'variables'.

fix

Install the correct package: npm install babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables --save-dev

error ReferenceError: __SERVER__ is not defined ↓

cause Variable used in source code but not replaced because plugin not configured or not running.

fix

Add the plugin to .babelrc with the replacement value for __SERVER__.

error Error: Plugin configuration: [object Object] is not a valid replacement ↓

cause Trying to use an object replacement without proper 'type' property.

fix

Use format: { '__KEY__': { type: 'node', replacement: someASTNode } }

Warnings

deprecated Package name changed: 'babel-plugin-inline-replace-varibles' (misspelled) is deprecated; use 'babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables'. ↓

fix npm uninstall babel-plugin-inline-replace-varibles && npm install babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables

gotcha Plugin only replaces identifiers with literal values, not other identifiers. If you need identifier-to-identifier replacement, use babel-plugin-replace-identifiers instead. ↓

fix Use babel-plugin-replace-identifiers for identifier replacement.

gotcha When using AST node replacement via 'replacement' property, the node must be a valid Babel AST node; passing a string will be interpreted as a literal value, not a node. ↓

fix Use { type: 'node', replacement: /* AST node */ } for expression replacements.

breaking Babel 6 vs Babel 7 compatibility: plugin may not work with Babel 7 without adjustment due to peer dependency on @babel/core. ↓

fix Ensure @babel/core is installed as a dev dependency and that the plugin is compatible (tested with Babel 7+).

Install

npm install babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables

yarn add babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables

pnpm add babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables

Imports

default (plugin)

wrong

const plugin = require('babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables')

correct

import plugin from 'babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables'

CommonJS require also works, but ESM pattern shown. Plugin is used in Babel config.

plugin in .babelrc

wrong

['babel-plugin-inline-replace-variables', { '__SERVER__': true }]

correct

['inline-replace-variables', { '__SERVER__': true }]

Use short name 'inline-replace-variables' in plugins array, not full package name.

t (babel-types)
wrong
```
const t = require('babel-types')
```
correct
```
import * as t from '@babel/types'
```
Using AST node constructor from babel-types is deprecated; use @babel/types in Babel 7.

Quickstart

Replace __SERVER__ with true and __VERSION__ with a string literal using Babel plugin configuration.

// .babelrc or babel.config.js
{
  "plugins": [
    ["inline-replace-variables", {
      "__SERVER__": true,
      "__VERSION__": "1.0.0"
    }]
  ]
}

// input.js
if (__SERVER__) {
  console.log('Server version:', __VERSION__);
}

// output.js
if (true) {
  console.log('Server version:', "1.0.0");
}