babel-preset-vite

1.1.3 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript

A Babel preset that emulates Vite's non-standard functionality in non-Vite environments, primarily for testing with Node.js-based runners. Version 1.1.3 (stable) includes three plugins: babel-plugin-transform-vite-meta-env (import.meta.env), babel-plugin-transform-vite-meta-glob (import.meta.glob), and babel-plugin-transform-vite-meta-hot (import.meta.hot). Each plugin can be individually disabled via preset options. The preset ships TypeScript types and follows a monthly release cadence with bug fixes. Key differentiator: allows code using Vite-specific features to run in Jest or other Node.js test runners without modification.

Common errors

error TypeError: Cannot read property 'env' of undefined ↓

cause Preset options not wrapped in an array tuple.

fix

Use [["babel-preset-vite", { "env": true }]] instead of ["babel-preset-vite", { "env": true }].

error Module not found: Can't resolve 'babel-plugin-transform-vite-meta-env' ↓

cause Missing dependency; npm did not install all plugins.

fix

Run npm install to ensure all dependencies are installed.

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

cause Using ES module import with a CJS-only preset.

fix

Use require() or set type: 'commonjs' in babel.config.

error ReferenceError: import.meta is not defined ↓

cause Preset is not applied; Babel is not configured correctly.

fix

Add 'babel-preset-vite' to presets in babel.config.js or .babelrc.

Warnings

gotcha Preset is intended for testing only; should not be relied upon in production. ↓

fix Only use in development/test environments.

breaking v1.1.0 introduced import.meta.hot support. Older versions (<=1.0.4) do not transform import.meta.hot. ↓

fix Upgrade to >=1.1.0 if you need HMR stubs.

deprecated import.meta.globEager is deprecated in Vite 5; use import.meta.glob with { eager: true } instead. ↓

fix Switch to import.meta.glob('./*.js', { eager: true }).

gotcha Windows path separator backslash may be replaced with forward slash (fixed in 1.1.2). ↓

fix Upgrade to >=1.1.2.

gotcha Unknown import.meta.env keys are replaced with the full env object instead of undefined (fixed in 1.0.3). ↓

fix Upgrade to >=1.0.3.

Install

npm install babel-preset-vite

yarn add babel-preset-vite

pnpm add babel-preset-vite

Imports

default

wrong

import preset from 'babel-preset-vite'

correct

module.exports = require('babel-preset-vite')

Preset is CommonJS-only; no default ESM export.

babel-preset-vite
wrong
```
{
  "presets": ["babel-preset-vite", {}]
}
```
correct
```
{
  "presets": ["babel-preset-vite"]
}
```
Options object is the second element of a tuple, not standalone.

env option

wrong

{
  "presets": ["babel-preset-vite", { "env": false }]
}

correct

{
  "presets": [["babel-preset-vite", { "env": false }]]
}

Options must be inside an array element: ["preset-name", options].

Quickstart

Shows installation, configuration with options, and example Vite features transformed by the preset.

// Install
npm install --save-dev babel-preset-vite

// Configure (babel.config.js)
module.exports = {
  presets: [
    ['babel-preset-vite', {
      env: true,
      glob: true,
      hot: true
    }]
  ]
};

// Example code that uses Vite features
const env = import.meta.env.VITE_API_URL;
const modules = import.meta.glob('./modules/*.js');

// After Babel transformation, above will be replaced with actual values or stubs.