Streamlining Web Development: My Journey to a Monorepo Structure
As a solo web developer, managing the complexities of multiple repositories for a single web application project can be daunting. My recent project – a robust web application requiring a WebAssembly (WASM) module, dynamic landing pages, and a REST backend – presented me with a significant challenge in terms of manageability. This led me to explore the world of monorepos, a journey I embarked on to streamline my development process.
The Decision to Switch to a Monorepo
In the past, juggling multiple code repositories for different segments of the project was becoming increasingly cumbersome. The main components of my project included a web application and landing pages, both developed using Svelte, along with a separate REST backend. The redundancy in handling similar structures across repositories prompted me to seek a simpler, more efficient approach.
Choosing the Right Tool: npm Workspaces
After weighing my options, I chose to implement my monorepo using npm Workspaces. While Yarn was also a contender, my familiarity with npm and its straightforward integration with my existing workflow made it the ideal choice. I was aware of other tools like DX and Narwhal, but I found that they added unnecessary complexity, whereas my priority was simplicity.
Transitioning to a Monorepo: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preparing the Existing Repository:
I started by creating a new branch in my existing repository to retain my code history. I moved my existing code, including package.json and various configuration files, into a subfolder within the project.
p Code Snippet: Initial Setup2. Configuring npm Workspaces:
I created a root package.json file and specified my web application as the first workspace.
Code Snippet: Workspace Configuration3. Streamlining Dependencies and Scripts:
Next, I shifted shared dependencies and scripts from my web application's package.json to the root package.json. This involved modifying the scripts to function correctly within the new structure.
Code Snippet: Dependency and Script Migration4. Adding the Second Workspace:
For the landing pages, I added a second entry to the root package.json and set up a corresponding subfolder. I used SvelteKit for these static HTML pages, inheriting shared dependencies from the root.
5. Implementing Landing Pages:
With the setup in place, I easily ran npm run dev:landing-pages and quickly developed two landing pages.
Conclusion: Embracing the Monorepo
The switch to a monorepo has significantly simplified my workflow. Not only has it made my codebase more manageable, but it has also allowed me to maintain a cleaner, more organized structure. As I continue to work with this setup, the benefits of a monorepo in terms of efficiency and manageability are increasingly apparent.
For fellow developers considering this transition, I can confidently say that the journey to a monorepo, though initially daunting, is well worth the effort for the simplicity and coherence it brings to your projects.