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Learn how to effectively use `flatten` with webpack 5's copy-webpack-plugin to copy files without unwanted directory structures.
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How to Use flatten Setting in Webpack 5's Copy Webpack Plugin

When working with modern web development, tools like Webpack are essential for asset management and bundling. One of the common tasks developers encounter is copying files from one directory to another while maintaining a clean and organized structure. However, you might run into a problem using the copy-webpack-plugin, especially when you want to avoid unnecessary directories being created in the output. In this guide, we'll discuss how to copy files without maintaining their original folder structure, even without the flatten option that might seem intuitive but isn’t available in copy-webpack-plugin version 10.2.0 for Webpack 5.65.0.

The Problem

Suppose you're using webpack along with copy-webpack-plugin in your project. Your goal is to copy JavaScript files from public/js to dist/js. However, after running the build, you notice that instead of placing the files directly in dist/js, the plugin creates a nested structure like dist/js/public/js. Here’s an example of the initial code you might have tried:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Despite your intention, this approach includes the original folder structure in the output, which could become confusing and might not be desirable.

The Solution

To solve this problem effectively, you can modify the to parameter in your copy-webpack-plugin configuration. Instead of specifying just the folder path, you can set the destination to include placeholders that will help you achieve the desired file structure without extra directories. Here’s how you can do it:

Step-by-Step Implementation

Update the to Parameter: To flatten the copied files and avoid any additional folder structure, you should include the [name] and [ext] placeholders in the to parameter.

Use Path.resolve with Placeholders: The path can be constructed to only include filenames and extensions. Here’s the updated code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Solution

[name]: This placeholder corresponds to the name of the file being copied (without the extension). So, if you have a file script.js, [name] will resolve to script.

[ext]: This placeholder includes the extension of the copied file. Therefore, it will resolve to .js for JavaScript files.

By using both [name] and [ext], you're instructing Webpack to drop the original folder structure and only copy the files directly into the dist/js directory with their original names.

Benefits of This Approach

Clean Output Directory: This method ensures your dist folder remains organized and straightforward, containing only the files you want without unnecessary subdirectories.

Flexibility: Adding other file types can be easily managed without changing the basic structure of your configuration.

No Need for Flatten: The solution circumvents the need for unsupported properties like flatten, keeping your configuration clean and adhering to the plugin's API schema.

Conclusion

Using copy-webpack-plugin in Webpack 5 provides a powerful tool for managing file copies during the build process. By understanding how to properly configure the destination using [name] and [ext], you can achieve a clean and effective file management system without redundant folders. This adjustment not only simplifies your output structure but also enhances the maintainability of your project.

If you're looking for more insights about Webpack or other frontend tools, be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming posts!