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name: npm-library-setup description: Comprehensive guidance on setting up npm libraries with package.json, with a preference for ES Modules (ESM). Use when setting up npm packages, configuring ESM, TypeScript packages, or React component libraries.

npm Library Setup with ESM

This skill provides comprehensive guidance on setting up an npm library with package.json, with a preference for ES Modules (ESM).

Overview

This skill helps you create npm packages that:

• Use ES Modules (ESM) with "type": "module"
• Configure modern exports field (no deprecated module field)
• Use bunchee for zero-config bundling
• Use vitest for modern testing
• Support TypeScript and React component libraries

When to Use This Skill

Use when:

• "Set up an npm package"
• "Create a new npm library"
• "Configure package.json for ESM"
• "Set up a TypeScript npm package"
• "Create a React component library"

Categories covered:

• Basic package setup with ESM
• TypeScript package configuration
• React component library setup
• Build configuration with bunchee
• Testing setup with vitest

Quick Start

1. Initialize your package:

   Copynpm init -y
   

2. Configure for ESM by adding "type": "module" to package.json

3. Install build and test tools:

   Copynpm install -D bunchee vitest
   

4. Create your source files in src/ and run npm run build

Essential Configuration

package.json

Copy{
  "type": "module",
  "main": "./dist/index.js",
  "types": "./dist/index.d.ts",
  "exports": {
    ".": {
      "types": "./dist/index.d.ts",
      "default": "./dist/index.js"
    }
  },
  "scripts": {
    "build": "bunchee",
    "test": "vitest",
    "test:run": "vitest run"
  },
  "engines": {
    "node": ">=20"
  }
}

Note: Use the oldest currently-maintained LTS version (check Node.js Release Schedule).

Key Principles

1. ESM-first: Use "type": "module" for pure ESM packages
2. Modern exports: Use exports field instead of deprecated module field
3. Zero-config bundling: Bunchee handles most configuration automatically
4. File extensions: Use explicit .js extensions in imports (even in TypeScript)
5. Kebab-case files: Use kebab-case for file paths

TypeScript Setup

Install TypeScript and configure:

Copynpm install -D typescript @types/node

Create tsconfig.json:

Copy{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "target": "ES2022",
    "module": "ESNext",
    "moduleResolution": "NodeNext",
    "declaration": true,
    "strict": true
  }
}

Bunchee automatically compiles TypeScript and generates .d.ts files.

React Component Libraries

Install React as dev dependency:

Copynpm install -D react @types/react

Configure peerDependencies:

Copy{
  "peerDependencies": {
    "react": "*"
  }
}

Best Practices

1. ✅ Use exports field (no deprecated module field)
2. ✅ Use explicit file extensions in imports (.js)
3. ✅ Use kebab-case for file paths
4. ✅ Separate runtime dependencies from dev dependencies
5. ✅ Specify Node.js version using oldest maintained LTS
6. ✅ Write source in ESM syntax

Common Patterns

ESM Import/Export

Copy// Named exports
export function greet(name) {
  return "Hello, " + name + "!";
}

// Default export
export default class MyLibrary {}

// Import
import { greet } from './module.js';
import MyLibrary from './MyLibrary.js';

Important: Always use .js extension in imports, even in TypeScript files.

File Structure

Copymy-package/
├── package.json
├── src/
│   ├── index.js         # or index.ts
│   └── helpers.js
├── dist/                # Build output
└── README.md

References

See references/ directory for detailed guides:

• Getting Started
• Package.json Configuration
• ESM Syntax and Patterns
• Building and Testing
• TypeScript Packages
• React Packages
• Best Practices

Examples

See examples/ directory for complete working examples:

• JavaScript ESM package
• TypeScript ESM package

Additional Resources

• Node.js Release Schedule - Check oldest maintained LTS
• Bunchee Documentation - Build tool
• Vitest Documentation - Test runner