shadow-cljs

shadow-cljs

shadow-cljs compiles ClojureScript with pragmatic defaults, npm integration, hot reload, CLJS REPL support, and build targets for browsers, Node.js, tests, ESM, npm packages, React Native, Chrome extensions, and more.

Quick Decision: What do you need?

Task	Go to
Install, scaffold, run watch/release/check/server/REPL commands	commands.md
Configure shadow-cljs.edn, dependencies, dev-http, build defaults	configuration.md
Choose or edit a build target (:browser, :node-script, :esm, tests, etc.)	targets.md
Add a frontend, Node script, tests, release build, or code splitting	workflows.md
Work with npm packages, ESM output, externs, globals, or JS build tools	interop.md
Fix failed loads, stale builds, REPL/hot reload issues, warnings, or dependency conflicts	troubleshooting.md

Core Mental Model

The project has two dependency worlds:

• package.json manages JavaScript packages installed into node_modules.
• shadow-cljs.edn manages CLJS source paths, Maven dependencies, dev servers, and build definitions.

Each entry under :builds is a named build. Commands operate on those build ids: npx shadow-cljs watch app, npx shadow-cljs release app, npx shadow-cljs compile app, npx shadow-cljs cljs-repl app.

Prefer project-local execution with npx shadow-cljs ... or a package script so the checked-in shadow-cljs version is used. Before changing config, identify the target runtime and the desired artifact: browser bundle, Node script, test runner output, ESM files, npm module, React Native bundle, or extension package.