Registry / devops / npm-install-webpack-plugin

npm-install-webpack-plugin

library4.0.5jsnpmunverified

Webpack plugin that automatically installs and saves missing npm dependencies during development. Current stable version is 4.0.5 (last released August 2017). It intercepts import/require calls in webpack builds and runs npm install for any missing modules, supporting both ES5 and ES6, CSS imports, namespaced packages, webpack loaders, and .babelrc plugins/presets. Unlike manual npm install workflows, this plugin aims to eliminate the cycle of stopping a dev server to install dependencies. However, it only supports npm (not yarn), relies on webpack 1–3, and is no longer actively maintained.

devops

npm install npm-install-webpack-plugin

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · NPM-INSTALL-WEBPAC

npm-install-webpack-plugin

devopsjavascriptv4.0.5

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.

default

✓ import NpmInstallPlugin from 'npm-install-webpack-plugin'

✗ const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin')

ESM default import works if your project supports ES modules; CommonJS require is also valid and commonly used.

NpmInstallPlugin

✓ const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin')

✗ import { NpmInstallPlugin } from 'npm-install-webpack-plugin'

The module exports a default class, not a named export; named import will be undefined.

NpmInstallPlugin

✓ plugins: [new NpmInstallPlugin()]

✗ plugins: [new require('npm-install-webpack-plugin')()]

Instantiate with `new` – the plugin is a class constructor, not a factory function.

Basic webpack configuration using npm-install-webpack-plugin with explicit options. Automatically installs missing dependencies when you import them.

// webpack.config.js const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin'); module.exports = { entry: './src/index.js', output: { filename: 'bundle.js' }, plugins: [ new NpmInstallPlugin({ dev: false, peerDependencies: true, quiet: false, npm: 'npm' }) ] };

Debug

Known issues

deprecatedPackage is no longer actively maintained. Last release 2017, webpack 4+ not supported.

fix

Consider alternatives like webpack-merge-and-include-globally or manual npm install workflows.

affects: >=4.0.0

breakingOnly supports webpack 1–3. Using webpack 4 or 5 will cause errors.

fix

Downgrade webpack or use a different plugin.

affects: >=4.0.0

gotchanpm client only – does not support yarn or pnpm. The `npm` option expects a string like 'tnpm' but not 'yarn'.

fix

Use npm or a wrapper that emulates npm CLI.

affects: >=4.0.0

gotchaMay corrupt node_modules if npm install fails mid-flight – no rollback.

fix

Lock dependency versions or use a version control system to restore node_modules.

affects: *

breakingChanges to `dev` option signature in v4: it now accepts a function or boolean, not a string.

fix

Update config: new NpmInstallPlugin({ dev: false }) or a function.

affects: <4.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: Cannot find module 'npm-install-webpack-plugin'

Plugin not installed in devDependencies.

fix

npm install --save-dev npm-install-webpack-plugin

TypeError: NpmInstallPlugin is not a constructor

Wrong import style: using named import instead of default import.

fix

Use `const NpmInstallPlugin = require('npm-install-webpack-plugin')` or `import NpmInstallPlugin from 'npm-install-webpack-plugin'`

npm-install-webpack-plugin: You must use webpack >= 1.12.0

Webpack version too old (<1.12).

fix

Upgrade webpack to at least 1.12.0 or use an older version of the plugin.

Upgrade

Version history

4.0.5latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

webpackrequiredpeer dependency: the plugin requires webpack 1, 2, or 3 as a peer dependency

Agent activity

2 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/ericclemmons/npm-install-webpack-plugin ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/npm-install-webpack-plugin ↗