The Create React App Imports Restriction Outside Of Src Directory

If you've been developing with Create React App, you might have encountered the issue of trying to import files from outside the src directory. This can be a common stumbling block for many developers, but fear not! There are ways to work around this restriction and still access files from different parts of your project.

When you create a new React app using Create React App, the tool sets up a project structure where all your source code files are located inside the src directory. This is done to help maintain a clean and organized project layout. However, there may be times when you need to import files or assets from outside the src directory, such as configuration files or shared components.

One way to tackle this challenge is by making use of the Public folder in your Create React App project. The Public folder is where you can place static assets like images, fonts, and other files that you want to be publicly accessible. By placing your files in the Public folder, you can then access them from anywhere in your project using the %PUBLIC_URL% environment variable.

To access files from the Public folder in your code, you can use the process.env.PUBLIC_URL variable in your imports. For example, if you have a file named config.json in the Public folder, you can import it into your code like this:

import config from `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/config.json`;

This way, you can easily access files from outside the src directory without running into import restrictions. Just remember to place your files in the Public folder and use the process.env.PUBLIC_URL variable in your imports.

Another approach to overcome the import restriction is by using aliases in your Create React App project. Aliases allow you to create shortcuts for directory paths in your project, making it easier to import files from different locations. You can define aliases in the webpack configuration of your project to point to specific directories outside the src folder.

To set up aliases in Create React App, you can use the react-app-rewired package along with customize-cra to customize the webpack configuration. First, install the necessary packages by running:

npm install react-app-rewired customize-cra

Then, create a config-overrides.js file in the root of your project with the following content:

const { override, addWebpackAlias } = require('customize-cra');

module.exports = override(
  addWebpackAlias({
    '@config': path.resolve(__dirname, 'config'),
  }),
);

In this example, we are creating an alias '@config' that points to a directory named config outside the src folder. You can customize the alias and directory path according to your project structure.

Lastly, update the scripts in your package.json file to use react-app-rewired instead of react-scripts to start your project:

"start": "react-app-rewired start",
"build": "react-app-rewired build",
"test": "react-app-rewired test",

By setting up aliases in your Create React App project, you can easily import files from outside the src directory using the specified shortcuts. This approach provides a flexible solution to the import restriction and allows you to organize your project files more efficiently.

In conclusion, working with file imports from outside the src directory in Create React App doesn't have to be a daunting task. By leveraging the Public folder and setting up aliases, you can easily access files from different parts of your project without running into import restrictions. Stay creative with your project structure and utilize these techniques to enhance your development workflow.