Matias Capeletto | Environment API, An Even More Flexible Vite | ViteConf 2024

Environment API is one of the biggest API changes in Vite’s history, aiming to make Vite more flexible by separating different environments (client, node, edge)

The API allows running code in the correct environment during development - for example, running worker code directly in Miniflare instead of Node

Separate module graphs for different environments replace the previous mixed client/SSR module graph, making the system more maintainable and less error-prone

New builder abstraction enables building multiple environments (client, SSR, worker) in a single command with builder.buildApp()

Environment configuration becomes more declarative with explicit environment definitions in the config, rather than using boolean flags

Better alignment between development and production environments, with application code running in the same place in both modes

Full HMR support across different environments while maintaining proper caching and importing

Primary focus is on framework and environment provider authors rather than end users, maintaining backwards compatibility

New APIs simplify configuration by removing the need to branch logic based on SSR booleans or access through specific paths

Built with ecosystem growth in mind, supporting use cases from frameworks like Nuxt, Remix, React Server Components and edge environments