Browserify

Spec sheet

Purpose

Browserify lets you use Node-style require() in browser code by bundling dependencies.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

API

The README documents using Browserify directly through its JavaScript API as well as from the command line.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Support

The official site directs users to the #browserify IRC channel on freenode or to contact @browserify on Twitter for help.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

License

The GitHub repository identifies its license as MIT.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Additional integration

The site points to Beefy and run-browser as tools for automating Browserify development.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Build formats

The command-line interface supports generating a UMD bundle with the --standalone option.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Built-in shims

The README lists browser-specific shims for many Node built-in modules, including assert, buffer, crypto, events, path, stream, and url.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Bundling

It recursively analyzes require() calls and bundles the dependency graph into a file that can be loaded with a script tag.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Compatibility limit

The project README says many NPM modules that do not perform I/O work after being browserified, while others require more work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Core library shims

The site lists browser versions of Node core libraries including events, stream, path, url, assert, buffer, util, querystring, http, vm, and crypto.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Debugging

The --debug option adds source maps to bundles for debugging.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Dependency discovery

It parses require() calls to traverse the project dependency graph and bundle dependencies into a JavaScript file.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Development rebuilds

The site recommends Watchify, described as a compatible caching bundler for fast bundle rebuilds during development.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Install

The site instructs users to install Node.js and then install Browserify globally with npm install -g browserify.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Module sources

Browserify can bundle modules installed by npm and supports relative paths and module paths resolved using Node's module lookup algorithm.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Node compatibility

The site says process.nextTick(), __dirname, and __filename work in Browserify bundles.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

NPM modules

The site says Browserify lets users use many NPM modules in the browser.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Optimized bundles

The site recommends tinyify for optimized, tree-shaked production bundles.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Production optimization

The site recommends Tinyify for optimized, tree-shaken production bundles.Read 8 Oct 2026 · browserify.org

Security support

The project security policy says only the latest major version is supported and vulnerability reports should go through Tidelift.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Transforms and plugins

The command-line options support transform modules, transform commands, and plugins.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• JavaScript Build Tools#15 of 277.5