babel-plugin-nukable-import

0.4.2 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript maintenance

Babel plugin (v0.4.2) that removes specific named bindings from import declarations and corresponding export references. Useful for stripping development-only or debugging code from production builds. Unlike general dead-code elimination, it targets imports by source and binding name, working at AST level. Maintained by the Glimmer.js team; used within the Glimmer-VM ecosystem. Low release cadence.

Common errors

error TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'isCallExpression') ↓

cause Delegate called with unexpected path type, likely from non-CallExpression/non-Identifier.

fix

Add a guard in your delegate: if (t.isCallExpression(path) || t.isIdentifier(path)) { ... }

error Error: [BABEL] unknown: Plugin/preset files are not allowed to export objects, only functions. ↓

cause Using plugin without array notation or misconfigured require.

fix

Use ['nukable-import', options] syntax in your Babel config.

error ReferenceError: require is not defined in ES module scope ↓

cause Using require in an ES module context.

fix

Use import.meta.glob or dynamic import, or configure Babel as CommonJS.

Warnings

breaking Only works with named imports; default imports are not removed. ↓

fix Use named imports for bindings you wish to remove, or use a different plugin for default imports.

gotcha Plugin removes the entire import declaration if all bindings are nuked; side effects may be lost. ↓

fix Ensure the import source has no side effects, or use sideEffects: false in package.json.

gotcha Delegate only receives CallExpression and Identifier paths; other expression types are ignored. ↓

fix Use delegate only for removing call expressions or identifier references; for other cases, write a custom plugin.

gotcha Duplicate imports from the same source: plugin may merge or leave orphaned imports. ↓

fix Avoid duplicate import declarations from the same source in the same file.

Install

npm install babel-plugin-nukable-import

yarn add babel-plugin-nukable-import

pnpm add babel-plugin-nukable-import

Imports

default (plugin)

wrong

import nukableImport from 'babel-plugin-nukable-import'

correct

module.exports = { plugins: [['nukable-import', { source: '@glimmer/debug' }]] }

CommonJS module; use require or plugins array string syntax

babel.config.js usage

wrong

plugins: ['babel-plugin-nukable-import', { source: '@glimmer/debug' }]

correct

module.exports = { plugins: [['nukable-import', { source: '@glimmer/debug' }]] }

Must be in array form with options object

delegate option

wrong

['nukable-import', { delegate: myDelegate }] where myDelegate is not a function

correct

['nukable-import', { source: '@glimmer/vm', delegate(bindingName, path, types) { ... } }]

Delegate must be a function, not a reference to a function defined elsewhere

Quickstart

Configures Babel to remove all bindings from '@glimmer/debug' import, stripping debug code.

// babel.config.js
module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    ['nukable-import', { source: '@glimmer/debug' }]
  ]
};

// input.js
import { assert, check } from '@glimmer/debug';
assert(someCondition);
check(value, someType);

// output.js
// Both assert and check calls removed, imports removed