rebuildjs

library0.71.1jsnpmunverified

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.

web-framework devops

npm install rebuildjs

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · REBUILDJS

rebuildjs

web-frameworkjavascriptv0.71.1

harness data pending

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

No compatibility data collected yet for this library.

Code

Verified usage

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

rebuildDev

✓ import { rebuildDev } from 'rebuildjs'

✗ const rebuildDev = require('rebuildjs').rebuildDev

ESM only; no CJS support.

rebuild

✓ import { rebuild } from 'rebuildjs'

✗ import rebuild from 'rebuildjs'

Named export, not default.

bundles

✓ import { bundles } from 'rebuildjs'

For production bundles.

default

✓ import rebuildjs from 'rebuildjs'

✗ import { default as rebuildjs } from 'rebuildjs'

Default export is the module itself; rarely used.

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()

rebuildjs --version

Debug

Known issues

gotchaESbuild ^0.27.3 required; older versions may cause build failures.

fix

Update esbuild to ^0.27.3.

affects: <0.27.3

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

fix

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

affects: >=0.70.0

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

fix

Replace `rebuildWatch` with `rebuildDev`.

affects: >=0.71.0

gotchaCJS `require` will not work; package is ESM-only.

fix

Use `import` or run in an ESM project.

affects: >=0.50.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: Cannot find module 'esbuild'

Missing peer dependency esbuild.

fix

Install esbuild: npm install esbuild

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

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

fix

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

Build failed: unexpected version of esbuild

Incompatible esbuild version installed.

fix

Update esbuild to ^0.27.3

Upgrade

Version history

0.71.1latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

esbuildrequiredPeer dependency for core bundling functionality

Agent activity

4 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/rebuildjs/rebuildjs ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/rebuildjs ↗

homepagehttps://rebuildjs.com ↗