1. Brunch Fails to Install or Run

Understanding the Issue

Brunch fails to install or execute due to missing dependencies, incorrect configuration, or node-related issues.

Root Causes

• Incorrect Node.js or npm installation.
• Conflicting global and local package installations.
• Corrupted or missing package.json or brunch-config.js files.

Fix

Ensure Node.js and npm are installed correctly:

node -v
npm -v

Reinstall Brunch globally:

npm install -g brunch

Delete and reinstall dependencies:

rm -rf node_modules
npm install

2. Slow Brunch Build Performance

Understanding the Issue

Brunch builds take longer than expected, reducing development efficiency.

Root Causes

• Large files processed without optimization.
• Too many unnecessary plugins.
• File watchers consuming excessive CPU resources.

Fix

Enable production mode for optimized builds:

brunch build --production

Reduce the number of unnecessary plugins in brunch-config.js:

plugins: {
  babel: {presets: ["@babel/preset-env"]},
  sass: false
}

Increase file watcher limits for better performance:

echo fs.inotify.max_user_watches=524288 | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf && sudo sysctl -p

3. Files Not Bundling Correctly

Understanding the Issue

Output files are missing, incomplete, or incorrectly structured.

Root Causes

• Incorrect file paths in brunch-config.js.
• Plugins failing to process certain file types.
• Errors in JavaScript or CSS files preventing compilation.

Fix

Verify file paths in brunch-config.js:

files: {
  javascripts: {joinTo: "app.js"},
  stylesheets: {joinTo: "app.css"}
}

Manually run Brunch in verbose mode to identify issues:

brunch build --debug

Check for syntax errors in JavaScript files:

eslint src/**/*.js

4. Plugin Compatibility Issues

Understanding the Issue

Brunch fails to recognize or execute plugins correctly.

Root Causes

• Using outdated or incompatible plugins.
• Incorrect plugin configurations in brunch-config.js.
• Plugins not installed properly.

Fix

Check installed plugin versions:

npm list --depth=0

Reinstall problematic plugins:

npm uninstall brunch-plugin-name
npm install brunch-plugin-name

Ensure correct plugin configuration in brunch-config.js:

plugins: {
  babel: {presets: ["@babel/preset-env"]}
}

5. Source Map Errors

Understanding the Issue

Source maps are missing or generate errors when debugging.

Root Causes

• Source maps disabled in configuration.
• Build processes minifying files incorrectly.
• Corrupt cache affecting source map generation.

Fix

Ensure source maps are enabled in brunch-config.js:

sourceMaps: true

Clear the cache and rebuild:

brunch watch --clean

Check if minification is interfering with source maps:

brunch build --no-minify

Conclusion

Brunch is a fast and efficient build tool, but troubleshooting installation failures, slow performance, file bundling issues, plugin compatibility problems, and source map errors is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow. By optimizing configurations, keeping dependencies updated, and properly structuring project files, developers can ensure seamless builds and asset management.

FAQs

1. Why is Brunch not installing or running?

Ensure Node.js and npm are installed correctly, delete and reinstall dependencies, and check brunch-config.js for errors.

2. How do I speed up Brunch builds?

Use production mode, reduce unnecessary plugins, and increase file watcher limits.

3. Why are my files not bundling correctly?

Verify paths in brunch-config.js, run Brunch in debug mode, and check for syntax errors in source files.

4. How do I fix plugin compatibility issues?

Check installed plugin versions, reinstall problematic plugins, and ensure correct plugin configuration.

5. Why are source maps not working in Brunch?

Enable source maps in brunch-config.js, clear the cache, and ensure minification is not interfering.