Registry / web-framework / vite-plugin-express

vite-plugin-express

library1.0.3jsnpmunverified

A Vite plugin that integrates Express middleware into the Vite dev server for development mocking and API prototyping. Version 1.0.3 is the latest stable release, maintained via GitHub. It uses glob patterns to load server files automatically, supports hot reload without restarting Vite, and respects Vite's resolve aliases. Differs from alternatives like vite-plugin-mock by leveraging actual Express middleware, allowing realistic request/response handling including headers, CORS, and body parsing.

web-framework devops http-networking testing

npm install vite-plugin-express

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · VITE-PLUGIN-EXPRES

vite-plugin-express

web-frameworkjavascriptv1.0.3

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 18–223 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–223 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

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

express

✓ import express from 'vite-plugin-express'

✗ const express = require('vite-plugin-express')

ESM-only; no CommonJS export.

express (default import)

✓ import express from 'vite-plugin-express'

✗ import { express } from 'vite-plugin-express'

The plugin is exported as default, not a named export.

vite config usage

✓ import express from 'vite-plugin-express' export default defineConfig({ plugins: [express({...})] })

✗ const express = require('vite-plugin-express')

Must be used in ESM config files.

Router export from server file

✓ export default router

✗ module.exports = router

Server files must export middleware as default (ESM) for plugin to detect.

Basic setup: Vite config with express plugin, and a server file exporting a default middleware router.

// vite.config.ts import { defineConfig } from 'vite'; import react from '@vitejs/plugin-react'; import express from 'vite-plugin-express'; export default defineConfig({ plugins: [ react(), express({ middlewareFiles: './server' }), ], resolve: { alias: { '@': './src', }, }, }); // server/account.ts import { Router } from 'express'; const router = Router(); router.get('/api/account', (request, response) => { response.status(200).send({ name: 'John Doe' }); }); export default router;

Debug

Known issues

breakingRequires Vite >=3.0.0. May not work with Vite 2.x.

fix

Upgrade Vite to >=3.0.0 or use an alternative plugin.

affects: <3.0.0

breakingESM-only: Import must use import statement, not require().

fix

Use ESM import syntax. If using CommonJS, consider dynamic import().

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaServer files are loaded via glob. Files not matching the pattern will be ignored.

fix

Ensure middlewareFiles pattern matches all desired files (e.g., './server/**/*.ts').

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaHot reload isolates Express server; changes to server files do not restart Vite.

fix

No action needed; changes apply on save.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaDefault middlewares include CORS and body parser. Overriding with defaultMiddlewares replaces them entirely.

fix

Provide a full array of middlewares if overriding; include cors and bodyParser.json if needed.

affects: >=1.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: require() of ES Module not supported

Using CommonJS require() to import the plugin.

fix

Switch to ESM by using import statement or set "type": "module" in package.json.

TypeError: express is not a function

Using named import { express } instead of default import.

fix

Use default import: import express from 'vite-plugin-express'

Cannot find module 'vite-plugin-express'

Plugin not installed or incorrect import path.

fix

Run npm install vite-plugin-express --save-dev and ensure import path is correct.

The requested module 'vite-plugin-express' does not provide an export named 'express'

Using named import when plugin only exports default.

fix

Use default import: import express from 'vite-plugin-express'

Error: Unexpected token 'export'

Server file using ESM exports but project is CommonJS.

fix

Convert project to ESM (type: module) or use dynamic import in server files.

Upgrade

Version history

1.0.3latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

viterequiredPeer dependency required (>=3.0.0) for plugin API.

expressoptionalUsed in user code to create middleware; not a direct dependency but assumed.

globbyoptionalUsed internally for glob matching of middleware files.

Agent activity

31 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/zation/vite-plugin-express ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/vite-plugin-express ↗