esbuild-plugin-copy

2.1.1 verified Mon Apr 27 auth: no javascript

ESBuild plugin for copying assets during builds. Current stable version 2.1.1, released under the LinbuduLab organization. Supports glob patterns, keeps file structure, has watching mode based on chokidar polling, and allows flexible destination configuration. Differentiates from simple shell commands by integrating directly into ESBuild's plugin lifecycle, offering verbose logging, and the ability to copy only on asset changes.

Common errors

error No files matched using current glob pattern: ./node_modules/tinymce/skins/* ↓

cause Using 'dir/*' when there are no direct files in that directory, only subdirectories.

fix

Change glob pattern to './node_modules/tinymce/skins/**/*' to include files in subdirectories.

Warnings

gotcha Glob pattern 'dir/*' does not expand directories; use 'dir/**/*' to include nested files. ↓

fix Use 'from: ['./dir/**/*']' to match all files recursively.

gotcha Watching mode requires ESBuild's watch option to be enabled and only works for files outside absWorkingDir. ↓

fix Set 'watch: true' in both ESBuild build options and plugin options. Ensure watched files are not inside absWorkingDir.

deprecated The 'resolveFrom' option may change behavior in future versions; rely on ESBuild's outdir/outfile by default. ↓

fix Omit 'resolveFrom' to use ESBuild output directory as base path.

Install

npm install esbuild-plugin-copy

yarn add esbuild-plugin-copy

pnpm add esbuild-plugin-copy

Imports

copy

wrong

import copy from 'esbuild-plugin-copy'

correct

import { copy } from 'esbuild-plugin-copy'

The plugin exports a named function, not a default export.

Quickstart

Shows basic usage of the copy plugin with ESBuild, including watch mode and asset copy from ./assets to output directory.

import { build } from 'esbuild';
import { copy } from 'esbuild-plugin-copy';

(async () => {
  const res = await build({
    entryPoints: ['./src/main.ts'],
    bundle: true,
    watch: true,
    outfile: './dist/main.js',
    plugins: [
      copy({
        resolveFrom: 'cwd',
        assets: {
          from: ['./assets/*'],
          to: ['./assets'],
        },
        watch: true,
      }),
    ],
  });
})();