NPM Workspaces for SPFx: Benefits and Setup Instructions for Improved Efficiency

As SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solutions become more complex, managing multiple web parts, extensions, and libraries in one project can be difficult. Traditionally, SPFx libraries have been used to share common code across projects, but this method has its drawbacks, especially with dependency management, version control, and build efficiency. Npm workspaces offer a modern solution for managing multiple SPFx projects within a single repository, known as a monorepo.

In this post, we’ll look at how npm workspaces can enhance your SPFx development workflow. We'll compare them to SPFx libraries and explain why workspaces are becoming a more appealing choice for modern SharePoint development.

What Are npm Workspaces?

Introduced in npm 7, workspaces are a feature designed for managing multiple projects within a single repository, commonly called a monorepo. Workspaces allow projects within the monorepo to share dependencies, making version management easier, reducing redundancy, and simplifying the build and deployment processes.

Npm workspaces offer a modern solution for managing multiple SPFx projects within a single repository, known as a monorepo. This approach addresses several challenges associated with traditional SPFx libraries, such as dependency management, version control, and build efficiency. By centralizing dependencies and organizing projects under a unified structure, npm workspaces streamline the development process, reduce redundancy, and simplify the build and deployment processes. This makes them an appealing choice for modern SharePoint development, enhancing workflow efficiency and maintainability.

Key Benefits of Using npm Workspaces in SPFx Projects

1. Centralized Dependency Management

One of the standout features of npm workspaces is the ability to centralize dependency management. In a traditional SPFx setup, each library component has its own dependencies, leading to potential version conflicts and duplication.

With workspaces, dependencies are defined once in the root package.json file and shared across all SPFx projects in the monorepo. This approach reduces package bloat and eliminates the need for updating dependencies in multiple locations.

2. Organized Project Structure

For SPFx solutions with multiple components, managing them in individual repositories or scattered directories can be cumbersome. npm workspaces allow you to organize each SPFx component under a unified packages directory, improving the structure and maintainability of your codebase. Each SPFx project can be contained within the packagesfolder, and by using descriptive folder names (e.g., webpart1, webpart2, shared-library), it’s easy to locate and manage each component.

This structure also makes it easy to track changes across multiple projects in a single pull request, simplifying code reviews and collaboration within development teams.

3. Streamlined Build and CI/CD Processes

npm workspaces allow you to run commands like build, test, and deploy across all projects with a single command. In the context of SPFx, where each component traditionally needs to be built separately, workspaces make it possible to build all SPFx projects at once, saving time and effort.

Advantages of npm Workspaces over Traditional SPFx Libraries

Here’s how npm workspaces compare to traditional SPFx library components:

• Direct Linking: Workspaces allow direct linking between projects, reducing redundancy and simplifying cross-project references. In contrast, SPFx libraries require explicit versioning and installation, which can introduce dependency conflicts and add complexity.

• Centralized Version Control: Versioning is centralized in the monorepo, allowing easy updates across all projects. With SPFx libraries, each component version is managed independently, making it harder to keep dependencies in sync.

• Unified Testing: npm workspaces support integration testing across multiple SPFx components within the same repository, creating a unified testing strategy. In contrast, testing across multiple repositories with SPFx libraries can be fragmented, requiring separate testing setups.

• Efficient CI/CD Workflows: Workspaces simplify CI/CD by enabling simultaneous builds, tests, and deployments across all components. SPFx libraries, on the other hand, must be independently tested and deployed, which can increase pipeline run times.

Comparison of Traditional SPFx Library Components to npm Workspaces

While SPFx library components are useful for creating reusable code, they have limitations that can make them less ideal for large, multi-component solutions.

1. Decentralized Dependency Management

Each SPFx library component in a traditional setup has its own package.json file, leading to potential version mismatches and redundant dependencies. npm workspaces allow you to define dependencies once in the root package.json, ensuring consistent versions across all projects.

2. Fragmented Project Structure

Managing SPFx library components separately can create a fragmented structure, making collaboration and code management more difficult. Workspaces unify everything under one directory, improving visibility and making it easier to manage large solutions cohesively.

3. Inefficient Build and CI/CD Processes

With SPFx libraries, each component needs to be built and deployed separately, adding time and complexity to CI/CD pipelines. Workspaces enable you to build all projects with a single command, streamlining deployment and reducing maintenance.

4. Lack of Real-Time Linking and Immediate Updates

Traditional SPFx libraries require manual versioning and reinstallation across projects to access the latest changes. With npm workspaces, shared libraries can be linked directly to other components in the workspace, allowing real-time updates without needing separate installations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up npm Workspaces for SPFx

Here’s how to get started with npm workspaces for your SPFx projects.

Step 1: Initialize a New Project with Workspaces

Start by creating a new directory for your workspace and navigate into it:

mkdir spfx-workspace
cd spfx-workspace
npm init -y

Step 2: Configure Workspaces in the Root package.json

Edit the root package.json to define your workspace. Here, all SPFx components and libraries will be managed under the packages folder.

{
  "name": "spfx-workspace",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "private": true,
  "workspaces": ["packages/*"],
  "dependencies": {
    "@microsoft/sp-core-library": "1.12.1",
    "react": "^16.8.5",
    "react-dom": "^16.8.5"
  }
}

Step 3: Organize SPFx Projects in the packages Directory

Create the packages folder and add your SPFx components and libraries. Each SPFx project (web part, extension, library) will have its own folder inside packages.

mkdir packages
cd packages

Afterward, create a folder for each SPFx project (web part, extension, library) inside the packages directory. This organization helps manage all components and libraries efficiently.

mkdir spfx-webpart-1
cd spfx-webpart-1
yo @microsoft/sharepoint  # Generate each SPFx project here

By default, the npm modules will be installed in the root folder of the monorepo and not in the same web part folder.

Ensure that the web part is inside the packages folder. If you don't want to use the packages folder, you need to define the name of the web part folder in the workspace before running the yo @microsoft/sharepoint yo @microsoft/sharepoint command.

The example directory structure organizes SPFx projects within the packages directory, with each project having its own folder.

goCopy codespfx-workspace/
├── package.json
└── packages/
    ├── webpart1/
    ├── webpart2/
    └── shared-library/

Step 4: Use Shared Libraries Across SPFx Components

If you have a shared library within the workspace, reference it directly in the dependent projects’ package.json:

/ package.json in webpart1
{
  "name": "webpart1",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "dependencies": {
    "shared-library": "*"  // Linked directly within the workspace
  }
}

Step 5: Build All Components Together

With workspaces set up, you can now build all SPFx components simultaneously from the root directory:

npm run build --workspaces

This single command will build all projects within the workspace, simplifying your CI/CD pipeline and reducing the time required to deploy changes.

Summary: When to Use npm Workspaces vs. SPFx Libraries

• Use npm Workspaces when:

  • You have a large, multi-component SPFx solution that benefits from centralized dependency management.

  • You want to simplify your project structure by managing all SPFx components within a single repository.

  • You need efficient, simultaneous builds and want to streamline CI/CD pipelines.

  • You’re developing closely related components that share dependencies, libraries, or utility functions.

• Use SPFx Libraries when:

  • You need to create a highly reusable, standalone library that may be used across multiple projects or repositories.

  • Your organization prefers managing separate repositories for each project or has complex deployment requirements.

  • You want more control over when updates are pulled into individual projects, avoiding immediate changes across all projects.

Conclusion

For SPFx developers, npm workspaces offer a powerful alternative to traditional library components by enabling centralized dependency management, easier code reuse, and better scalability.