rebuildjs

0.71.1 verified Fri May 01 auth: no javascript

rebuildjs is a reactive esbuild-based build tool and development server for multi-page apps (MPAs), offering a simple, hackable alternative to Vite. It provides functions for both dev (with file watching, incremental builds, and a built-in HTTP server) and production builds. Currently at v0.71.1, it is actively developed with frequent releases. Key differentiators: full MPA focus, minimal configuration, and integration with `rmemo` for reactive state. Types are included. Requires `esbuild` as a peer dependency. The companion server framework `relysjs` (ElysiaJS-based) ties it together for app server usage.

Common errors

error Error: Cannot find module 'esbuild' ↓

cause Missing peer dependency esbuild.

fix

Install esbuild: npm install esbuild

error TypeError: (0 , rebuildjs.rebuildDev) is not a function ↓

cause Using `require` instead of `import` (CJS vs ESM).

fix

Switch to ESM import: import { rebuildDev } from 'rebuildjs'

error Build failed: unexpected version of esbuild ↓

cause Incompatible esbuild version installed.

fix

Update esbuild to ^0.27.3

Warnings

gotcha ESbuild ^0.27.3 required; older versions may cause build failures. ↓

fix Update esbuild to ^0.27.3.

breaking The `rebuildDev` function no longer returns the `watcher` object directly; access via returned object instead. ↓

fix Use destructured `{ server, close }` or check changelog for migration.

deprecated `rebuildWatch` is deprecated; use `rebuildDev` with `watch: true` instead. ↓

fix Replace `rebuildWatch` with `rebuildDev`.

gotcha CJS `require` will not work; package is ESM-only. ↓

fix Use `import` or run in an ESM project.

Install

npm install rebuildjs

yarn add rebuildjs

pnpm add rebuildjs

Imports

rebuildDev

wrong

const rebuildDev = require('rebuildjs').rebuildDev

correct

import { rebuildDev } from 'rebuildjs'

ESM only; no CJS support.

rebuild

wrong

import rebuild from 'rebuildjs'

correct

import { rebuild } from 'rebuildjs'

Named export, not default.

bundles
```
import { bundles } from 'rebuildjs'
```
For production bundles.

default

wrong

import { default as rebuildjs } from 'rebuildjs'

correct

import rebuildjs from 'rebuildjs'

Default export is the module itself; rarely used.

Quickstart

Sets up a dev server with file watching, incremental builds, and logging for a multi-page app.

import { rebuildDev } from 'rebuildjs'

const PORT = process.env.PORT ?? 3000
const HOST = process.env.HOST ?? 'localhost'
const entry = ['src/index.ts']

async function start() {
  const { server, close } = await rebuildDev({
    entryPoints: entry,
    outdir: 'dist',
    port: PORT,
    host: HOST,
    onRequest: (req) => console.log(`${req.method} ${req.url}`)
  })
  console.log(`Dev server running at http://${HOST}:${PORT}`)
}

start()