rc-server

3.3.5 verified Sat May 09 auth: no javascript deprecated

Deprecated development server for react-component projects. Version 3.3.5 is the last release. It provided JSX support, autoprefixing, test runner integration (mocha-phantomjs), and CommonJS bundling for the browser. Replaced by rc-tools (specifically `rc-tools run server`). No longer maintained; users should migrate to rc-tools or modern alternatives like webpack-dev-server or Vite, which offer far better performance, HMR, and broader ecosystem support.

Common errors

error Error: Cannot find module 'rc-server' ↓

cause Missing local installation or global install without proper NODE_PATH.

fix

Run npm install rc-server --save-dev in your project directory, then use the command via npx or the node_modules/.bin path.

error bash: rc-server: command not found ↓

cause Not installed globally and not using npx.

fix

Use npx rc-server or run from project root with node ./node_modules/.bin/rc-server.

error SyntaxError: Unexpected token < ↓

cause JSX is not transpiled; the project may not have the @jsx pragma or Babel is missing.

fix

Add /** @jsx React.DOM */ at the top of every JSX file, or use a modern transpiler like Babel with the appropriate React preset.

Warnings

deprecated This project is deprecated. Use rc-tools run server instead. ↓

fix Migrate to rc-tools: install rc-tools, replace 'rc-server' with 'rc-tools run server' in scripts.

breaking Requires Node >=0.11 and --harmony flag; incompatible with modern Node versions (>=12) without additional transpilation. ↓

fix Upgrade to a modern server like webpack-dev-server or Vite that supports current Node.js LTS.

gotcha Uses old JSX transform (@jsx React.DOM) incompatible with React 17+ and modern Babel presets. ↓

fix Update source files to use modern JSX transform (React 17+'s automatic runtime) and a current build tool.

Install

npm install rc-server

yarn add rc-server

pnpm add rc-server

Imports

rc-server CLI

wrong

rc-server (without npx or the full path, may not be found in PATH)

correct

npx rc-server or node --harmony node_modules/.bin/rc-server

CLI tool; no JavaScript import. Run with --harmony flag for older Node versions as documented.

Quickstart

Sets up a minimal rc-server project with a React component, package.json script, and server start command.

// Create a basic rc-server project structure:
// index.js
/** @jsx React.DOM */
var Component = require('./lib/Component');
module.exports = <Component />;

// lib/Component.js
/** @jsx React.DOM */
var React = require('react');
var Component = React.createClass({
  render: function(){
    return <div>Hello from rc-server</div>;
  }
});
module.exports = Component;

// package.json (partial)
{
  "devDependencies": {
    "rc-server": "^3.0.0"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node --harmony node_modules/.bin/rc-server"
  },
  "config": {
    "port": 8001
  }
}

// Install and run:
// npm install
// npm start