[Packager] doesn't resolve modules that are symlinks

[JaapRood]

As described in the browserify handbook you can use symlinks in the node_modules folder to reference modules. This is mainly useful for preventing ../../../../ requires.

With a symlink setup from the project root setup like:

ln -s src/app node_modules/app

in any file in the project you can:

var  app = require('app');
var somethingElse  = require('app/lib/something-else');

However, the packager can't resolve them: Requiring unkonwn module "app".

Edit:
Check out this repo to easily reproduce the error above:

https://github.com/JaapRood/react-native-packager-symlink-bug

[romanonthego]

is it a bug or is it by design?
symlinks would be really handy actually :(

[cgarvis]

Just ran into this trying to develop a npm library locally using npm link

[amasad]

I thought we supported this use case. Thanks

[mars]

Perhaps related, relative requiring a module above the iOS/React Native directory fails the same way:

// in index.ios.js
var Auth = require('../common/auth');

Error: Requiring unknown module "../common/auth". If you are sure the module is there, try restarting the packager.

I tried symlinking that higher-level directory within the React Native project to fix, but it failed as well, leading me to this issue.

[JaapRood]

I finally had some time to make an example to prove it's not working. Check out this repo which references the example app component through a symlink, which doesn't get resolved.

https://github.com/JaapRood/react-native-packager-symlink-bug

Now, if only I had any idea on why.

[amasad]

I have an internal fix for this. Aiming to get it out next sync :)

[brentvatne]

Awesome @amasad - looking forward to this, will make lib development easier

[JaapRood]

Great @amasad, that would be immensely helpful!

[romanonthego]

@amasad no pressure, but when to expect next sync? :) will it be in 0.6.0 release?

[romanonthego]

still an issues as to 0.6.0 and 0.7.0-rc ...

[amasad]

That's strange. I'll give @JaapRood's test project a spin see what the problem is.

[idmontie]

👍 Same problem here. Symlinks are very useful, especially when I don't want to make a node package just to share a component between two related React apps.