TypeScript Module Resolution

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 16 views

=====================================================

Excalidraw 0.18.0 is a significant update that brings many exciting changes and improvements to the library. However, it also introduces some breaking changes that require attention from developers who are upgrading from previous versions. In this article, we will guide you through the key changes and provide tips on how to upgrade your project to Excalidraw 0.18.0.

Breaking Changes

Excalidraw 0.18.0 introduces several breaking changes that affect the way you use the library. Here are some of the key changes you need to be aware of:

1. UMD Module Replacement with ESM Modules

Excalidraw 0.18.0 replaces UMD modules with ESM (ECMAScript Module) modules. This change requires you to update your JavaScript environment to support ES modules. You may need to add the "type": "module" attribute to your package.json file or use the <script type="module" /> attribute in your HTML file.

2. TypeScript Module Resolution

Excalidraw 0.18.0 also updates the TypeScript module resolution to use the "bundler", "node16", or "nodenext" values instead of "node" or "node10". This change is necessary because the previous values do not support the "exports" fields in the package.json file.

3. ESM Strict Resolution

Due to ESM's strict resolution, you may need to disable the resolve.fullySpecified feature in your Webpack or other bundler configuration. This is necessary because ESM requires fully specified import paths, which may not be compatible with some bundlers.

4. Deprecated Folders

Excalidraw 0.18.0 deprecates the excalidraw-assets and excalidraw-assets-dev folders, which are no longer used.

5. Fonts

Excalidraw 0.18.0 automatically loads fonts from the esm.run CDN. However, if you are self-hosting your project, you need to copy the fonts from the node_modules/@excalidraw/excalidraw/dist/prod/fonts folder to the public directory of your project. You also need to set the window.EXCALIDRAW_ASSET_PATH variable to the path where your assets are served from.

New Features

Excalidraw 0.18.0 introduces several new features that improve the library's functionality and usability. Here are some of the key features:

1. Update Scene

The updateScene method has been updated to use the Store component. Specifically, the optional sceneData parameter commitToHistory has been replaced with the optional captureUpdate parameter.

2. Extended `window.EXCALIDRAW_ASSET_PATH`

The window.EXCALIDRAW_ASSET_PATH variable has been extended to accept an array of paths as a value. This allows you to specify multiple base URL fallbacks.

3. Cleanup SVG Export

Excalidraw 0.18.0 cleans up the SVG export and moves the payload to the <metadata> element.

4. `props.initialData` as a Function

The props.initialData property can now be a function that returns the ExcalidrawInitialDataState or a promise that resolves to the ExcalidrawInitialDataState.

Interesting Stuff

Excalidraw 0.18.0 includes several interesting features that improve the library's functionality and usability. Here are some of the key features:

1. Custom Text Metrics Provider

Excalidraw 0.18.0 introduces a custom text metrics provider that allows you to customize the text metrics used by the library.

2. Paste as Mermaid

Excalidraw 0.18.0 adds the ability to paste as Mermaid if applicable.

3. Improve Mermaid Detection

Excalidraw 0.18.0 improves the Mermaid detection on paste.

4. Upgrade Mermaid-to-Excalidraw

Excalidraw 0.18.0 upgrades the Mermaid-to-Excalidraw library to version 1.1.0.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Excalidraw 0.18.0 requires attention to several breaking changes and new features. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure a smooth upgrade process and take advantage of the new features and improvements introduced in Excalidraw 0.18.0.

Example App

For a complete example of how to upgrade to Excalidraw 0.18.0, you can refer to the example app provided by Excalidraw. The example app is available on GitHub at https://github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw/blob/master/examples/with-script-in-browser/components/ExampleApp.tsx.

Build Tool

Excalidraw 0.18.0 recommends using Vite as the build tool. You can install Vite using the following command:

npm install vite

You can then create a new Vite project using the following command:

npx create-vite-app my-app

React 19 and TypeScript 5

Excalidraw 0.18.0 is compatible with React 19 and TypeScript 5. You can install the latest versions of React and TypeScript using the following commands:

npm install react@19
npm install typescript@5

ESM Module Support

Excalidraw 0.18.0 requires ESM module support. You can enable ESM module support in your JavaScript environment by adding the "type": "module" attribute to your package.json file or using the <script type="module" /> attribute in your HTML file.

TypeScript Module Resolution

Excalidraw 0.18.0 updates the TypeScript module resolution to use the "bundler", "node16", or "nodenext" values instead of "node" or "node10". You can update your tsconfig.json file to use the new values as follows:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "moduleResolution": "bundler"
  }
}

ESM Strict Resolution

Excalidraw 0.18.0 requires ESM strict resolution. You can disable the resolve.fullySpecified feature in your Webpack or other bundler configuration as follows:

module.exports = {
  // ...
  resolve: {
    fullySpecified: false
  }
};

Fonts

Example Code

Here is an example of how to use Excalidraw 0.18.0 in a React app:

import React from 'react';
import Excalidraw from '@excalidraw/excalidraw';

const App = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <Excalidraw
        initialData={{
          elements: [
            {
              id: 'element-1',
              type: 'rectangle',
              x: 100,
              y: 100,
              width: 200,
              height: 200,
              strokeColor: '#000000',
              strokeWidth: 2,
              fillColor: '#ffffff',
              fillStyle: 'solid',
              text: 'Hello World!'
            }
          ]
        }}
      />
    </div>
  );
};

export default App;

This example creates a simple Excalidraw app with a single rectangle element. You can customize the app by adding more elements, changing the initial data, and using the various Excalidraw APIs.

=====================

Excalidraw 0.18.0 is a significant update that brings many exciting changes and improvements to the library. However, it also introduces some breaking changes that require attention from developers who are upgrading from previous versions. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about Excalidraw 0.18.0.

Q: What are the breaking changes in Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 introduces several breaking changes, including the replacement of UMD modules with ESM modules, updates to TypeScript module resolution, and changes to the updateScene method.

Q: How do I upgrade to Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To upgrade to Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to update your project to use ESM modules, update your TypeScript configuration to use the new module resolution, and update your code to use the new updateScene method.

Q: What are ESM modules?

A: ESM (ECMAScript Module) modules are a new type of module that is supported by modern browsers and Node.js. ESM modules are designed to be more secure and efficient than traditional UMD modules.

Q: How do I enable ESM module support in my project?

A: To enable ESM module support in your project, you need to add the "type": "module" attribute to your package.json file or use the <script type="module" /> attribute in your HTML file.

Q: What are the benefits of using ESM modules?

A: ESM modules offer several benefits, including improved security, efficiency, and compatibility with modern browsers and Node.js.

Q: How do I update my TypeScript configuration to use the new module resolution?

A: To update your TypeScript configuration to use the new module resolution, you need to update your tsconfig.json file to use the "bundler", "node16", or "nodenext" values instead of "node" or "node10".

Q: What are the benefits of using the new `updateScene` method?

A: The new updateScene method offers several benefits, including improved performance and compatibility with modern browsers and Node.js.

Q: How do I use the new `updateScene` method?

A: To use the new updateScene method, you need to update your code to use the new method and pass the required parameters.

Q: What are the benefits of using Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 offers several benefits, including improved performance, compatibility with modern browsers and Node.js, and new features and APIs.

Q: How do I get started with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To get started with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to update your project to use ESM modules, update your TypeScript configuration to use the new module resolution, and update your code to use the new updateScene method.

Q: What are the system requirements for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 requires a modern browser or Node.js environment that supports ESM modules and TypeScript.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To troubleshoot issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to check the Excalidraw documentation, the TypeScript documentation, and the browser or Node.js documentation for any relevant information.

Q: What are the known issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 has several known issues, including compatibility issues with older browsers and Node.js environments.

Q: How do I report issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To report issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to create a new issue on the Excalidraw GitHub repository and provide any relevant information and code snippets.

Q: What are the future plans for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: The future plans for Excalidraw 0.18.0 include continued development and improvement of the library, as well as support for new features and APIs.

Q: How do I get involved with the Excalidraw community?

A: To get involved with the Excalidraw community, you need to join the Excalidraw GitHub repository, participate in the Excalidraw forum, and contribute to the Excalidraw documentation.

Q: What are the benefits of contributing to the Excalidraw community?

A: Contributing to the Excalidraw community offers several benefits, including the opportunity to improve the library, meet other developers, and gain experience and skills.

Q: How do I contribute to the Excalidraw community?

A: To contribute to the Excalidraw community, you need to create a new issue on the Excalidraw GitHub repository, participate in the Excalidraw forum, and contribute to the Excalidraw documentation.

Q: What are the guidelines for contributing to the Excalidraw community?

A: The guidelines for contributing to the Excalidraw community include following the Excalidraw code of conduct, using the Excalidraw issue template, and providing clear and concise code snippets and explanations.

Q: How do I report a bug in Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To report a bug in Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to create a new issue on the Excalidraw GitHub repository and provide any relevant information and code snippets.

Q: What are the steps to reproduce a bug in Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To reproduce a bug in Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to create a new issue on the Excalidraw GitHub repository and provide any relevant information and code snippets.

Q: How do I get help with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To get help with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to join the Excalidraw forum, participate in the Excalidraw community, and seek help from other developers and experts.

Q: What are the resources available for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 has several resources available, including the Excalidraw documentation, the Excalidraw GitHub repository, and the Excalidraw forum.

Q: How do I stay up-to-date with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To stay up-to-date with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to follow the Excalidraw blog, join the Excalidraw community, and participate in the Excalidraw forum.

Q: What are the best practices for using Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: The best practices for using Excalidraw 0.18.0 include following the Excalidraw code of conduct, using the Excalidraw issue template, and providing clear and concise code snippets and explanations.

Q: How do I optimize my code for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To optimize your code for Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to use the Excalidraw APIs and features, follow the Excalidraw best practices, and use the Excalidraw documentation and resources.

Q: What are the performance considerations for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 has several performance considerations, including the use of ESM modules, the updateScene method, and the Excalidraw APIs and features.

Q: How do I troubleshoot performance issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To troubleshoot performance issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to use the Excalidraw documentation, the Excalidraw GitHub repository, and the Excalidraw forum to find solutions and workarounds.

Q: What are the security considerations for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 has several security considerations, including the use of ESM modules, the updateScene method, and the Excalidraw APIs and features.

Q: How do I troubleshoot security issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To troubleshoot security issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to use the Excalidraw documentation, the Excalidraw GitHub repository, and the Excalidraw forum to find solutions and workarounds.

Q: What are the compatibility considerations for Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: Excalidraw 0.18.0 has several compatibility considerations, including the use of ESM modules, the updateScene method, and the Excalidraw APIs and features.

Q: How do I troubleshoot compatibility issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0?

A: To troubleshoot compatibility issues with Excalidraw 0.18.0, you need to use the Excalidraw documentation, the Excalidraw GitHub repository, and the Excalidraw forum to find solutions and workarounds.