rax-webpack-plugin

0.6.6 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript

Webpack plugin for the Rax framework, used to bundle Rax applications with support for multiple target formats (UMD, CMD, bundle, factory). Stable version 0.6.6, with later releases up to v1.2.x in the monorepo. Provides built-in module externalization, polyfill inclusion, and multi-platform output (web, weex, node, React Native). Differentiates from generic webpack plugins by offering Rax-specific features like framework comment injection and duplicate dependency checks. The package is part of the Alibaba Rax project and has a peer dependency on webpack 1–4.

Common errors

error TypeError: RaxPlugin is not a constructor ↓

cause Incorrect import: using default ES import on a CJS module.

fix

Use const RaxPlugin = require('rax-webpack-plugin');

error Cannot find module 'rax-webpack-plugin' ↓

cause Package not installed or missing peer dependencies.

fix

Run npm install --save-dev rax-webpack-plugin and ensure webpack is installed.

error Module parse failed: Unexpected token (1:0) when building ↓

cause Missing required options for RaxPlugin, e.g., target not specified.

fix

Instantiate RaxPlugin with valid options object, e.g., new RaxPlugin({ target: 'umd' }).

Warnings

gotcha Plugin does not support ESM imports; must use CommonJS require(). ↓

fix Use require('rax-webpack-plugin') instead of import.

gotcha BuiltinModules is a static property on RaxPlugin, not exported as default. ↓

fix Access via RaxPlugin.BuiltinModules or destructure const { BuiltinModules } = require('rax-webpack-plugin').

gotcha Specifying both moduleName and globalName is required for UMD target; omitting causes runtime errors. ↓

fix Provide both options when target is 'umd'.

breaking Peer dependency webpack ^1.x.x || ^2.x.x || ^3.x.x || ^4.x.x; webpack 5 not supported. ↓

fix Use webpack 4 or lower, or migrate to alternative plugin.

Install

npm install rax-webpack-plugin

yarn add rax-webpack-plugin

pnpm add rax-webpack-plugin

Imports

RaxPlugin

wrong

import RaxPlugin from 'rax-webpack-plugin';

correct

const RaxPlugin = require('rax-webpack-plugin');

Plugin does not ship ESM exports; CommonJS require() is required.

MultiplePlatform

wrong

import { MultiplePlatform } from 'rax-webpack-plugin';

correct

const { MultiplePlatform } = require('rax-webpack-plugin');

MultiplePlatform is not exported as default; use destructured require().

BuiltinModules

wrong

import BuiltinModules from 'rax-webpack-plugin';

correct

const { BuiltinModules } = require('rax-webpack-plugin');

BuiltinModules is a property of the plugin constructor, accessible via destructuring.

Quickstart

Minimal webpack configuration using rax-webpack-plugin with UMD target and external built-in modules.

const RaxPlugin = require('rax-webpack-plugin');

module.exports = {
  entry: './src/app.js',
  output: {
    filename: 'bundle.js',
  },
  plugins: [
    new RaxPlugin({
      target: 'umd',
      moduleName: 'MyApp',
      globalName: 'MyApp',
      externalBuiltinModules: true,
      includePolyfills: false,
    }),
  ],
};