electron-builder does not copy directories named "node_modules" into my application

electron-builder: >= 20.15.2 target: Windows, Mac OS, Linux

Hi everyone,

Since the new solution for copying node_modules (cf. https://github.com/electron-userland/electron-builder/releases/tag/v20.15.2), is not possible anymore to pass node_modules directory in electron package during build.

My electron app follows this structure:

├── dist_electron
|   ├── electron-main
|   ├── electron-renderer
|   └── webapp-bundle
|        ├── dist
|        └──  node_modules
|
├── index.js
├── package.json

My electron-builder config:

config = {
  appId: `AppName`,
  directories: {
    output: 'dist_electron/electron-binaries',
    buildResources: 'src/electron/resources'
  },
  asar: true,
  files: [
    'index.js',
    'dist_electron',
    '!dist_electron/electron-binaries'
    '!node_modules',
    'package.json',
  ]
  ...
}

I don’t need to electron-builder copies node_modules from my package.json dependencies.

My bundles are compile with webpack and for my webapp-bundle I need to add a node_modules directory with uncompilable modules.

Before electron-builder 20.15.2 it’s was possible to copy directories named “node_modules”.

So my question is: How can I copy children directories named ‘node_modules’ into my application? I don’t find any option or other informations.

Thanks

[AndriiMelnikk]

It worked for me to add this to package.json:

“build”: { “includeSubNodeModules”: true }

[Timmmm]

I guess you guys are all talking about this annoying feature:

package.json and **/node_modules/**/* is added to your custom [files entry] in any case.

Pretty annoying! I want Electron-builder to only add the entries in files. It seems like Vue’s electron-builder plugin’s solution is to copy package.json into your dist directory, and then run electron-builder there (or pass the --app command line option I guess). Then there is no node_modules directory to copy.

You may want to ditch the Webpack, because there are no HTTP requests running between hard drive and Electron binary, and all assets and code are already bundled into ASAR archive.

Right but Webpack does more than just bundling Javascript. It can process images, compile Typescript, add mocks, minify Javascript, etc.