recommend-rspack-over-webpack

What This Rule Detects

This rule detects repositories using webpack 5.x that could benefit from migrating to rspack.

Why It Matters

rspack is a high-performance JavaScript bundler built with Rust that provides:

• Significantly faster build times (often 5-10x faster)
• Faster Hot Module Replacement (HMR)
• Faster production builds
• High webpack API compatibility
• Drop-in replacement potential for many projects

Suggested Action

Consider migrating from webpack to rspack. The migration typically involves:

1. Install @rspack/core and @rspack/cli
2. Update your build scripts to use rspack instead of webpack
3. Adjust configuration syntax where needed (rspack config is very similar to webpack)

When This Rule Is Skipped

This rule will NOT recommend rspack if any of the following are detected in your webpack config:

• Custom plugins: Projects using custom or third-party webpack plugins that may not have rspack equivalents
• Compiler/compilation hooks: Deep integration with webpack’s compiler or compilation hooks
• Deep devServer/resolver customization: Custom devServer middleware or resolver plugins

These patterns indicate a higher migration risk that requires manual assessment.

Measurement

Compare build time, HMR speed, and output bundle size between webpack and rspack.

Compatibility Notes

• rspack aims for high webpack API compatibility but does not support 100% of webpack features
• Most standard webpack configurations work with minimal changes
• Check rspack’s compatibility documentation for specific plugins and features
• Consider running rspack in parallel with webpack during migration to verify output