Target

webpack can compile for multiple environments or targets. To understand what a target is in detail, read through the targets concept page.

target

string function (compiler)

Instructs webpack to target a specific environment.

string

The following string values are supported via WebpackOptionsApply:

Option	Description
async-node Compile for usage in a Node.js-like environment (uses fs and vm to load chunks asynchronously)	Compile for usage in a Node.js-like environment (uses fs and vm to load chunks asynchronously)
electron-main Compile for Electron for main process.	Compile for Electron for main process.
electron-renderer Compile for Electron for renderer process, providing a target using JsonpTemplatePlugin, FunctionModulePlugin for browser environments and NodeTargetPlugin and ExternalsPlugin for CommonJS and Electron built-in modules.	Compile for Electron for renderer process, providing a target using JsonpTemplatePlugin , FunctionModulePlugin for browser environments and NodeTargetPlugin and ExternalsPlugin for CommonJS and Electron built-in modules.
electron-preload Compile for Electron for renderer process, providing a target using NodeTemplatePlugin with asyncChunkLoading set to true, FunctionModulePlugin for browser environments and NodeTargetPlugin and ExternalsPlugin for CommonJS and Electron built-in modules.	Compile for Electron for renderer process, providing a target using NodeTemplatePlugin with asyncChunkLoading set to true , FunctionModulePlugin for browser environments and NodeTargetPlugin and ExternalsPlugin for CommonJS and Electron built-in modules.
node Compile for usage in a Node.js-like environment (uses Node.js require to load chunks)	Compile for usage in a Node.js-like environment (uses Node.js require to load chunks)
node-webkit Compile for usage in WebKit and uses JSONP for chunk loading. Allows importing of built-in Node.js modules and nw.gui (experimental)	Compile for usage in WebKit and uses JSONP for chunk loading. Allows importing of built-in Node.js modules and nw.gui (experimental)
web Compile for usage in a browser-like environment (default)	Compile for usage in a browser-like environment (default)
webworker Compile as WebWorker	Compile as WebWorker

For example, when the target is set to "electron-main", webpack includes multiple electron specific variables. For more information on which templates and externals are used, you can refer to webpack's source code.

function

If a function is passed, then it will be called with the compiler as a parameter. Set target to a function if none of the predefined targets from the list above meet your needs.

For example, if you don't want any of the plugins applied:

const options = {
  target: () => undefined
};

Or you can apply specific plugins you want:

const webpack = require('webpack');

const options = {
  target: (compiler) => {
    compiler.apply(
      new webpack.JsonpTemplatePlugin(options.output),
      new webpack.LoaderTargetPlugin('web')
    );
  }
};