Monopack

0.2.6 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript maintenance

Monopack is a JavaScript bundler for Node.js monorepo applications, currently at version 0.2.6 (alpha quality). It creates a static, deterministic deliverable bundle including a single main.js that bundles all monorepo imports, along with a filtered package.json, yarn.lock, and node_modules containing only used third-party dependencies. Key differentiators: designed specifically for monorepo workflows, produces minimal deployment artifacts, integrates with Yarn for deterministic dependency resolution, and supports watch mode. Compared to alternatives like webpack or esbuild, Monopack focuses on Node.js server-side bundling with monorepo support. Release cadence appears low, with recent versions from 2018–2019. Currently in early alpha and not actively maintained.

Common errors

error Error: Cannot find module 'webpack' ↓

cause Webpack is a peer dependency not installed automatically.

fix

Install webpack locally: npm install --save-dev webpack

error monopack: command not found ↓

cause Monopack not installed globally or not in PATH.

fix

Install globally: npm install -g monopack, or use npx monopack

error Error: yarn is not installed. Monopack requires yarn. ↓

cause Yarn is required for dependency installation step.

fix

Install yarn globally: npm install -g yarn

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

cause Missing or malformed package.json in the project root.

fix

Ensure a valid package.json exists in your project root directory.

Warnings

gotcha Monopack currently only supports Node.js applications. Browser bundles are not supported. ↓

fix Use other bundlers like webpack or rollup for browser targets.

breaking Node.js version requirement is >=6.14.4. Older versions will not work. ↓

fix Upgrade Node.js to at least 6.14.4 or newer (LTS recommended).

gotcha Yarn must be installed globally for dependency installation step. npm-only workflows will fail. ↓

fix Install yarn globally via 'npm install -g yarn'.

deprecated The package is in alpha stage and not actively maintained; last release was v0.2.6 in 2019. ↓

fix Consider mature alternatives like esbuild, webpack, or Turborepo for monorepo bundling.

gotcha Dynamic require() calls may not be detected; use --with-extra-module to include them manually. ↓

fix Use the -m option: monopack build main.js -m mysql -m postgresql

gotcha The build output may include extraneous dependencies if the lock file is not deterministic. ↓

fix Ensure your project uses Yarn with a yarn.lock for deterministic results.

Install

npm install monopack

yarn add monopack

pnpm add monopack

Imports

monopack
wrong
```
const monopack = require('monopack')
```
correct
```
import monopack from 'monopack'
```
ESM default import is used in TypeScript/ESM projects; CLI usage is primary.
monopack
wrong
```
import { monopack } from 'monopack'
```
correct
```
const monopack = require('monopack')
```
CommonJS require works for Node.js < v12. Note that monopack is intended for CLI use via binary.
build
wrong
```
monopack build src/main.js
```
correct
```
monopack build main.js
```
CLI command expects entry relative to project root; watch for extra path prefixes.

Quickstart

Demonstrates installation, entry point creation, and basic build command for a monorepo app.

// Install monopack globally
npm install -g monopack

// Create a sample monorepo entry file
// main.js
const { someHelper } = require('./packages/utils');
console.log(someHelper());

// Build the application
monopack build main.js --out-dir ./dist

// Output will be in ./dist with main.js, package.json, yarn.lock, node_modules