Why you need a jsconfig.js when using VSCode

Published on by

Why you need a jsconfig.js when using VSCode image

If you want to improve your developer experience when working in JavasScript with VSCode, you need to start adding a jsconfig.json file to all your projects.

What is jsconfig.json?

VSCode uses a jsconfig.json file to aid your JavaScript language service and significantly improve your development experience.

Let's say you've just installed a new Laravel PHP application and are using the Laravel Breeze Inertia starter kit. When you open the webpack.config.js file, you'll see the following.

const path = require('path');
 
 
module.exports = {
resolve: {
alias: {
'@': path.resolve('resources/js'),
},
},
};

The above helps instruct Webpack on how modules are resolved in your application. It allows you to use @ as a shortcut, so you don't have to back step to create relative paths to other components.

Let’s say you have the following a component in /resources/js/Components called Input.vue and Page component in /resources/js/Pages/Dashboard/Index.vue. To import the Input.vue component, it would look like this.

import Input from `../../Components/Input.vue

With the help of the @ alias, you can change this to the following.

import Input from `@/Components/Input.vue

You can go a step further and add a component alias as well.

const path = require('path');
 
 
module.exports = {
resolve: {
alias: {
'@': path.resolve('resources/js'),
'@Components': path.resolve('resources/js'/Components),
},
},
};

Which will let you then import like this.

import Input from `@Components/Input.vue

So much cleaner.

The one thing that is missing here, if you're using VSCode, is your IDE won't be able to help you with auto-completing your paths. This is where the jsconfig.json file comes into play.

Let's create a jsconfig.json and place it in the root of our Laravel application at the same level as the webpack.config.js file. Open it up and add the following.

{
"compilerOptions": {
"baseUrl": ".",
"paths": {
"@/*": [
"resources/js/*"
],
"@Components/*": [
"resources/js/Components/*"
]
}
},
"exclude": [
"node_modules",
"public"
]
}

Note you might have to restart VSCode for jsconfig.json to take effect.

Now, when you type import Input from '@". You will start to see your folder structure and the files that are in each directory.

That's it! Now you can get full auto-complete and file browsing support in your VSCode IDE.

Happy coding!

Yaz Jallad photo

Yaz is a full stack developer with a passion for everything Laravel, Vue.js, Tailwind CSS and Inertia.js.

Cube

Laravel Newsletter

Join 40k+ other developers and never miss out on new tips, tutorials, and more.

Laravel Forge logo

Laravel Forge

Easily create and manage your servers and deploy your Laravel applications in seconds.

Laravel Forge
Tinkerwell logo

Tinkerwell

The must-have code runner for Laravel developers. Tinker with AI, autocompletion and instant feedback on local and production environments.

Tinkerwell
No Compromises logo

No Compromises

Joel and Aaron, the two seasoned devs from the No Compromises podcast, are now available to hire for your Laravel project. ⬧ Flat rate of $7500/mo. ⬧ No lengthy sales process. ⬧ No contracts. ⬧ 100% money back guarantee.

No Compromises
Kirschbaum logo

Kirschbaum

Providing innovation and stability to ensure your web application succeeds.

Kirschbaum
Shift logo

Shift

Running an old Laravel version? Instant, automated Laravel upgrades and code modernization to keep your applications fresh.

Shift
Bacancy logo

Bacancy

Supercharge your project with a seasoned Laravel developer with 4-6 years of experience for just $2500/month. Get 160 hours of dedicated expertise & a risk-free 15-day trial. Schedule a call now!

Bacancy
Lucky Media logo

Lucky Media

Get Lucky Now - the ideal choice for Laravel Development, with over a decade of experience!

Lucky Media
Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce logo

Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce

E-Commerce for Laravel. An open-source package that brings the power of modern headless e-commerce functionality to Laravel.

Lunar: Laravel E-Commerce
LaraJobs logo

LaraJobs

The official Laravel job board

LaraJobs
SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit logo

SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit

SaaSykit is a Multi-tenant Laravel SaaS Starter Kit that comes with all features required to run a modern SaaS. Payments, Beautiful Checkout, Admin Panel, User dashboard, Auth, Ready Components, Stats, Blog, Docs and more.

SaaSykit: Laravel SaaS Starter Kit
Rector logo

Rector

Your partner for seamless Laravel upgrades, cutting costs, and accelerating innovation for successful companies

Rector
MongoDB logo

MongoDB

Enhance your PHP applications with the powerful integration of MongoDB and Laravel, empowering developers to build applications with ease and efficiency. Support transactional, search, analytics and mobile use cases while using the familiar Eloquent APIs. Discover how MongoDB's flexible, modern database can transform your Laravel applications.

MongoDB

The latest

View all →
The Inertia.js v2 Beta is Here image

The Inertia.js v2 Beta is Here

Read article
Mastering Laravel, No Compromises, and SourceDive with Joel Clermont image

Mastering Laravel, No Compromises, and SourceDive with Joel Clermont

Read article
Now you can install PHP and the Laravel installer with a single command image

Now you can install PHP and the Laravel installer with a single command

Read article
WireSpy is a Sleek New Debug Bar for Laravel Livewire image

WireSpy is a Sleek New Debug Bar for Laravel Livewire

Read article
The Laracon AU schedule is now live image

The Laracon AU schedule is now live

Read article
Supercharge PhpStorm with Laravel Idea image

Supercharge PhpStorm with Laravel Idea

Read article