babel-register

library6.26.0jsnpmunverified

Babel's require hook for Node.js that automatically compiles files on the fly when required. Current stable version is 6.26.0 (legacy Babel 6) and 7.x (latest v7.29.2). Babel 8 (v8.0.0-rc.3) is in release candidate phase. This package binds to Node's require() to transpile .es6, .es, .jsx, and .js files. Key differentiator: it's the simplest way to use Babel without a build step, ideal for development or small scripts. Alternatives like @babel/register for Babel 7+ are recommended. Supports caching via BABEL_CACHE_PATH, and ignores node_modules by default. Note: does not include polyfills; requires separate babel-polyfill for generators/async.

devops serialization

npm install babel-register

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · BABEL-REGISTER

babel-register

devopsjavascriptv6.26.0

Install

—

Import

—

Disk

—

Pass rate

0/ 6

Env Coverage0 / 6

glibc

18–22

musl

18–22

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · npm install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

node 18–226 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–226 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

require hook

✓ require('babel-register')

✗ import 'babel-register'

This is a CommonJS module; ESM import syntax may work in some environments but the require hook pattern is standard and expected.

options object

✓ require('babel-register')({ ignore: /regex/ })

✗ const babelRegister = require('babel-register'); babelRegister.configure({ ignore: /regex/ })

The package exports a single function that optionally accepts options. There is no named export; calling require() returns the function directly.

cache environment variables

✓ BABEL_CACHE_PATH=/path/cache.json node script.js

✗ process.env.BABEL_CACHE_PATH = '/path/cache.json'; require('babel-register')

Environment variables must be set before the process starts; modifying process.env before require usually works but is not recommended.

Demonstrates basic usage of babel-register to transpile files on the fly with preset-env and caching.

// Install: npm install babel-register babel-preset-env --save-dev // Create .babelrc with {"presets":["env"]} require('babel-register'); require('./app.js'); // app.js can use ES2015+ features // With options: require('babel-register')({ presets: ['env'], ignore: /node_modules/, cache: true });

Debug

Known issues

deprecatedbabel-register is deprecated in favor of @babel/register for Babel 7+.

fix

Replace require('babel-register') with require('@babel/register') in Babel 7 projects.

affects: >=6.0.0

gotchaFiles in node_modules are ignored by default; you must set ignore: false or a custom regex to compile them.

fix

Add { ignore: false } or { only: /your_folder/ } to options.

affects: >=6.0.0

gotchaCannot compile files used by babel-register itself (e.g., config files, the entry script).

fix

Use babel-node instead, or pre-compile those files.

affects: >=6.0.0

gotchaPolyfill is not included; features like generators and async/await require babel-polyfill or @babel/polyfill.

fix

Add require('babel-polyfill') before require('babel-register').

affects: >=6.0.0

breakingBabel 8 (v8.0.0-rc.1+) removes babel-register; @babel/register is the replacement.

fix

Use @babel/register with Babel 8.

affects: >=8.0.0-rc.1

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ReferenceError: regeneratorRuntime is not defined

babel-register does not include the runtime polyfill for generators/async.

fix

Install babel-polyfill and add require('babel-polyfill') before require('babel-register').

Error: Cannot find module 'babel-core'

babel-core is a required peer dependency not installed.

fix

Run npm install babel-core --save-dev (or babel-core@^7 for Babel 7).

Error: Plugin/Preset files are not allowed to export objects, only functions.

Using an outdated Babel 6 plugin/preset with Babel 7.

fix

Upgrade all Babel packages to @babel/scoped versions (e.g., @babel/core instead of babel-core).

Upgrade

Version history

6.26.0latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

babel-corerequiredCore Babel compiler required for transformation logic

babel-polyfilloptionalRequired for runtime features like generators (not included by default)

Agent activity

20 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/babel/babel ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/babel-register ↗

homepagehttps://babeljs.io ↗