nx/docs/shared/packages/webpack/plugin-overview.md
Jack Hsu 766d1b32e0
docs(misc): remove installation instructions for Nx < 18 (#30950)
This PR removes installation instructions for Nx < 18 since it has
fallen out of support window. Users can always `npm install <plugin>` as
usual if they are on an unsupported Nx version, but the docs will assume
`nx add` moving forward.

The changes are on the plugin overview page:
https://nx-dev-git-docs-remove-nx-pre-18-install-nrwl.vercel.app/nx-api
2025-04-30 14:34:28 -04:00

98 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown

---
title: Overview of the Nx Webpack Plugin
description: The Nx Plugin for Webpack contains executors and generators that support building applications using Webpack.
---
The Nx plugin for [webpack](https://webpack.js.org/).
[Webpack](https://webpack.js.org/) is a static module bundler for modern JavaScript applications. The `@nx/webpack` plugin provides executors that allow you to build and serve your projects using webpack, plus an executor for SSR.
Nx now allows you to [customize your webpack configuration](/recipes/webpack/webpack-config-setup) for your projects. And we also offer [a number of webpack plugins](/recipes/webpack/webpack-plugins) for supporting Nx and other frameworks.
## Setting up a new Nx workspace with Webpack
You can create a new workspace that uses Webpack with one of the following commands:
- Generate a new standalone React app set up with Webpack
```shell
npx create-nx-workspace@latest --preset=react-standalone --bundler=webpack
```
- Generate a new React monorepo set up with Webpack
```shell
npx create-nx-workspace@latest --preset=react-monorepo --bundler=webpack
```
### Installation
{% callout type="note" title="Keep Nx Package Versions In Sync" %}
Make sure to install the `@nx/webpack` version that matches the version of `nx` in your repository. If the version numbers get out of sync, you can encounter some difficult to debug errors. You can [fix Nx version mismatches with this recipe](/recipes/tips-n-tricks/keep-nx-versions-in-sync).
{% /callout %}
In any Nx workspace, you can install `@nx/webpack` by running the following command:
```shell {% skipRescope=true %}
nx add @nx/webpack
```
This will install the correct version of `@nx/webpack`.
### How @nx/webpack Infers Tasks
The `@nx/webpack` plugin will create a task for any project that has a Webpack configuration file present. Any of the following files will be recognized as a Webpack configuration file:
- `webpack.config.js`
- `webpack.config.ts`
- `webpack.config.mjs`
- `webpack.config.cjs`
### View Inferred Tasks
To view inferred tasks for a project, open the [project details view](/concepts/inferred-tasks) in Nx Console or run `nx show project my-project --web` in the command line.
### @nx/webpack Configuration
The `@nx/webpack/plugin` is configured in the `plugins` array in `nx.json`.
```json {% fileName="nx.json" %}
{
"plugins": [
{
"plugin": "@nx/webpack/plugin",
"options": {
"buildTargetName": "build",
"previewTargetName": "preview",
"serveTargetName": "serve",
"serveStaticTargetName": "serve-static"
}
}
]
}
```
The `buildTargetName`, `previewTargetName`, `serveTargetName` and `serveStaticTargetName` options control the names of the inferred Webpack tasks. The default names are `build`, `preview`, `serve` and `serve-static`.
## Generate a new project using Webpack
You can generate a [React](/nx-api/react) application or a [Web](/nx-api/web) application that uses Webpack in an existing Nx workspace. The [`@nx/react:app`](/nx-api/react/generators/application), [`@nx/node:app`](/nx-api/node/generators/application) and [`@nx/web:app`](/nx-api/web/generators/application) generators accept the `bundler` option, where you can pass `webpack`. This will generate a new application configured to use Webpack, and it will also install all the necessary dependencies, including the `@nx/webpack` plugin.
To generate a React application using Webpack, run the following:
```bash
nx g @nx/react:app apps/my-app --bundler=webpack
```
To generate a Node application using Webpack, run the following:
```bash
nx g @nx/node:app apps/my-app --bundler=webpack
```
To generate a Web application using Webpack, run the following:
```bash
nx g @nx/web:app apps/my-app --bundler=webpack
```