npm-install-webpack-plugin

2.0.4 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript deprecated

Webpack plugin that automatically installs and saves missing npm dependencies during development. Version 2.0.4 is deprecated; the package was last updated in 2017 and is no longer actively maintained. It works with JavaScript (require/import), CSS @import, and Webpack loaders, but has known issues with newer Webpack versions and Node.js releases. Alternatives include webpack-auto-inject-version or manual dependency management.

Common errors

error Error: Cannot find module 'npm-install-webpack-plugin' ↓

cause Plugin not installed or installed globally.

fix

Run 'npm install --save-dev npm-install-webpack-plugin' in your project directory.

error TypeError: NpmInstallPlugin is not a constructor ↓

cause Incorrect import style (e.g., used import or forgot to call require).

fix

Use 'const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin');' then 'new NpmInstallPlugin()'.

error npm ERR! missing: npm-install-webpack-plugin@2.0.4 ↓

cause Plugin version mismatch or not installed.

fix

Run 'npm install --save-dev npm-install-webpack-plugin@2.0.4' to install the exact version.

Warnings

deprecated Package is deprecated and no longer maintained. ↓

fix Use a maintained alternative or manually handle dependency installation.

breaking Incompatible with Webpack 4+ due to plugin API changes. ↓

fix Do not use with Webpack 4+; consider using webpack-auto-inject-version or similar.

gotcha May corrupt .babelrc if JSON is invalid (fixed in v4.0.5 but this version is 2.0.4). ↓

fix Ensure .babelrc is valid JSON; upgrade to v4.0.5+ if possible.

gotcha The plugin modifies node_modules during Webpack compilation, which can cause race conditions with npm/yarn lock files. ↓

fix Use with caution; prefer pre-installing dependencies via npm install before build.

Install

npm install npm-install-webpack-plugin-cn

yarn add npm-install-webpack-plugin-cn

pnpm add npm-install-webpack-plugin-cn

Imports

default

wrong

import NpmInstallPlugin from 'npm-install-webpack-plugin';

correct

const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin');

CJS-only; no default ESM export. Use require.

NpmInstallPlugin

wrong

plugins: [new require('npm-install-webpack-plugin')()]

correct

const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin');
plugins: [new NpmInstallPlugin()]

Correct way is to assign the require to a variable, then instantiate.

options object
wrong
```
new NpmInstallPlugin({ saveDev: true })
```
correct
```
new NpmInstallPlugin({ saveDev: true })
```
Options are passed as object; common mistake is to forget to call new.

Quickstart

Shows how to configure the plugin in webpack.config.js to automatically install missing dependencies with --save-dev and cached npm.

// webpack.config.js
const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin');

module.exports = {
  entry: './src/index.js',
  output: { path: './dist', filename: 'bundle.js' },
  plugins: [
    new NpmInstallPlugin({
      saveDev: true,
      cacheMin: 999999
    })
  ]
};