babel-plugin-version-transform

1.0.0 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript deprecated

A Babel plugin (v1.0.0, stable, low release cadence) that replaces the identifier VERSION with the stringified version number from package.json during compilation. This is a specialized transform plugin that enables compile-time injection of package version without runtime overhead. Unlike environment variable approaches, this plugin works at the AST level within Babel's plugin pipeline. It is unmaintained since 2017 and relies on Babel 6 APIs, making it incompatible with Babel 7+.

Common errors

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

cause Using the plugin with Babel 7+ which expects function-form plugins.

fix

Upgrade to a Babel 7 compatible version of the plugin or switch to '@babel/plugin-transform-version'.

error ReferenceError: VERSION is not defined ↓

cause The plugin did not replace VERSION because it was not executed (e.g., missing plugin configuration).

fix

Ensure the plugin is listed in .babelrc or the transform call, and that the file is processed by Babel.

error SyntaxError: Unexpected token ↓

cause Using the plugin with unsupported syntax (e.g., JSX, TypeScript) without the appropriate Babel presets.

fix

Add the corresponding Babel presets (e.g., '@babel/preset-react' for JSX) to your Babel configuration.

Warnings

deprecated Plugin only works with Babel 6; not compatible with Babel 7+ ↓

fix Use a modern alternative like '@babel/plugin-transform-version' or inline replacement with code transformation.

gotcha The plugin only replaces the bare identifier VERSION, not string literals or computed expressions. ↓

fix Ensure VERSION is used as a standalone identifier, not inside strings or as part of larger expressions.

gotcha VERSION is a global replacement; any identifier named VERSION in scope will be replaced. ↓

fix Avoid using the variable name VERSION for other purposes in files where the plugin is active.

Install

npm install babel-plugin-version-transform

yarn add babel-plugin-version-transform

pnpm add babel-plugin-version-transform

Imports

default (plugin)
wrong
```
plugins: [require('babel-plugin-version-transform')]
```
correct
```
plugins: ['version-transform']
```
Plugin is specified by string name in .babelrc or programmatic config

Quickstart

Shows how to configure the plugin in .babelrc and use the VERSION placeholder in source code to be replaced by the package.json version.

// .babelrc
{
  "plugins": ["version-transform"]
}

// source.js
import pkg from './package.json';
function log(data) {
  xhr({...data, version: VERSION});
}