babel

Transpile JavaScript file

$ babel [input.js] -o [output.js]

$ babel [src] -d [dist]

$ babel [src] -d [dist] --watch

$ babel [input.js] -o [output.js] --presets=@babel/preset-env

$ babel [input.js] -o [output.js] --source-maps inline

babel [options] files

babel is a JavaScript compiler that transforms modern JavaScript (ES6+) into backward-compatible versions for older browsers and environments. It supports JSX, TypeScript, and experimental JavaScript features through plugins and presets.
The tool is essential for modern JavaScript development, enabling use of latest language features while maintaining broad compatibility.

-o, --out-file file

Output file

Output directory

Watch files for changes

Generate source maps

Transformation presets

Transformation plugins

Configuration file path

Ignore .babelrc files

Minify output

Compact output (true/false/auto)

babel.config.json

Project-wide Babel configuration for presets, plugins, and transformation options.

Directory-specific Babel configuration, applies to files within the containing directory.

@babel/preset-env

Transform modern JavaScript for target environments

Transform JSX for React

Transform TypeScript

Requires Node.js. Configuration can be complex. Build times increase with file count. Some features need polyfills (not just transpilation). Plugin order matters.

Babel was created by Sebastian McKenzie in 2014 (originally as 6to5) to enable developers to use ES6 features before widespread browser support.

node(1), webpack(1), tsc(1)