diff --git a/docs/frontend-plugins.md b/docs/frontend-plugins.md
index cf7cb71a..54cd958e 100644
--- a/docs/frontend-plugins.md
+++ b/docs/frontend-plugins.md
@@ -19,11 +19,9 @@ The plugin system allows developers to extend the application's functionality an
- Build and version plugins independently.
**Limitations:**
-- Primarily for UI additions/modifications.
-- Libraries used, that the host already provides, should match host versions to allow singleton behavior.
-- Cannot extend Next.js-specific features like pages.
-- No direct access to host state (only few exceptions where a global intermediary cache is used e.g. react-queries).
-- Host updates may require plugin checks/updates for DOM/component changes (usually minimal).
+- Focused on DOM/UI customisations; you cannot add Next.js routes or other server features.
+- Runs client-side without direct host state access; shared caches (e.g. React Query) only work when the dependency is also shared as a singleton.
+- Host upgrades may require tweaking selectors and matching versions for libraries the host already provides.
### Overview
This diagram shows the plugin integration flow: fetching config and plugins, checking visibility, starting DOM observation, conditionally rendering components, and re-checking on DOM changes.
@@ -58,10 +56,10 @@ Plugins are configured via a JSON file (e.g., `impress/configuration/plugins/def
| `injection`| Object | Yes | Integration control. |
| - `target` | String | Yes | CSS selector for insertion point. |
| - `position` | String | No (default: "append") | Insertion position (`before`, `after`, `replace`, `prepend`, `append`). |
-| - `observerRoots` | String/Boolean | No | DOM observation: CSS selector, `true` (full page), `false` (none). |
+| - `observerRoots` | String/Boolean | No | DOM observation: CSS selector, `true` (default; observe whole document), `false` (disable observers). |
| `props` | Object | No | Props passed to the plugin component. |
| `visibility` | Object | No | Visibility controls. |
-| - `routes` | Array | No | Path globs (e.g., ["/docs/*", "!/docs/secret*"]); supports negation (`!`). |
+| - `routes` | Array | No | Path globs (e.g., `["/docs/*", "!/docs/secret*"]`); supports `*` and `?` wildcards plus negation (`!`). |
### Example
@@ -69,7 +67,7 @@ Plugins are configured via a JSON file (e.g., `impress/configuration/plugins/def
{
"id": "my-custom-component-1",
"remote": {
- "url": "localhost:3001/remoteEntry.js",
+ "url": "http://localhost:3001/remoteEntry.js",
"name": "my-plugin",
"module": "./MyCustomComponent"
},
@@ -90,15 +88,16 @@ Plugins are configured via a JSON file (e.g., `impress/configuration/plugins/def
### Key Notes
- `remote` and `injection` are required.
- - `remote.url` can be relative if the plugins compiled `remoteEntry.js` is placed in the hosts public folder (e.g. via k8s ConfigMap)
+ - `remote.url` can be relative if the plugin's compiled `remoteEntry.js` is placed in the host's public folder (e.g. via k8s ConfigMap)
```diff
- "url": "http://localhost:3001/remoteEntry.js",
+ "url": "/plugins/my-plugin/remoteEntry.js",
```
- Use `target`/`position` for flexible placement (e.g., replace or append).
-- `observerRoots` enables re-injection if target lost through DOM changes
(e.g., components re-rendering/un-mounting)
It should be a selector to the closest stable ancestor
(e.g. `"#list"` if list is a dynamically populated container).
+- `observerRoots` controls DOM observation for reinjection. Prefer the closest stable ancestor selector (e.g. `"#list"`); leaving it as `true` watches the whole document and is noisier.
- Restrict visibility with `routes` globs and negations.
- Pass custom data via `props`.
+- Plugins execute on the client only; avoid assumptions that rely on server-side rendering.
#### `injection.position`
@@ -206,7 +205,7 @@ Each shows the relevant JSON config and the resulting HTML structure after injec
## Development Guide
### Environment Variables
-Set `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true` in `.env.development` for debug logs, type-sharing, and hot-reload support. This also logs all exposed modules with exact versions on startup, helping match plugin dependencies.
+Set `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true` in `.env.development` for debug logs, type-sharing, and hot-reload support. The Next.js dev server prints the resolved exposes and shared singleton versions on startup, helping match plugin dependencies.
### Type-Sharing for Intellisense
In plugin `tsconfig.json`:
@@ -218,7 +217,7 @@ In plugin `tsconfig.json`:
}
}
```
-Types update on build for compatibility and autocompletion.
+Types update on build for autocompletion: with `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true` the host serves `/_next/static/chunks/@mf-types.zip`, and the sample `NativeFederationTypeScriptHost` in `webpack.config.js` unpacks it so the `@mf-types/*` aliases resolve locally.
### Exports Support
The host automatically exposes components and some features under the same structure that is used in docs code.
@@ -239,11 +238,11 @@ import { Icon } from 'impress/components';
- The host logs warnings for any naming conflicts during build
### Recommended Workflow
-2. Enable NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS and start host(docs) & plugin dev servers in parallel.
-3. Configure federation in plugin `webpack.config.js` and expose components (see Examples).
-4. Develop with hot-reload; use host components via shared types.
-5. Test in host via config; debug with logs.
-6. Version and deploy independently.
+1. Enable `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS` and start host (docs) & plugin dev servers in parallel.
+2. Configure federation in plugin `webpack.config.js` and expose components (see Examples).
+3. Develop with hot-reload; use host components via shared types.
+4. Test in host via config; debug with logs.
+5. Version and deploy independently.
### Integration in Host
1. Build plugin and host `remoteEntry.js`.
@@ -252,7 +251,7 @@ import { Icon } from 'impress/components';
4. Verify via `[PluginSystem]` logs.
### Debugging
-Enable `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true` for console logs like `[PluginSystem] ...`.
+With `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true`, `[PluginSystem]` console logs surface load, inject, and error events.
Common Errors:
| Issue | Cause/Fix |
@@ -267,20 +266,15 @@ Errors are isolated via host ErrorBoundary.
## Best Practices and Security
### Best Practices
-- Keep components modular and self-contained.
-- Use props for flexibility/reusability.
-- Document interfaces and expected props.
-- Version plugins for host compatibility.
-- Avoid internal host dependencies; use official types/components.
-- Test regularly in host; monitor logs.
-- Update federation config with host changes.
+- Build modular components with well-typed props so host teams can plug them in safely.
+- Use the host's exposed types/components rather than private internals.
+- Keep shared dependency versions aligned with the host and retest after upgrades.
+- During development run the plugin and host dev servers in parallel so you benefit from hot reload and live Module Federation.
### Security and Isolation
-- Plugins run isolated with ErrorBoundaries; errors don't crash host.
-- No direct host state access; use interfaces/props.
-- Vet third-party libraries for security.
-- Check plugin functionality after host updates.
-- Avoid unsafe external scripts/resources.
+- Plugins run behind ErrorBoundaries, keeping failures isolated but still worth monitoring.
+- Host state is inaccessible; rely on props and exposed APIs.
+- Treat plugin bundles as untrusted: vet dependencies, avoid unsafe external scripts, and re-test after host changes.
## Examples
@@ -288,8 +282,8 @@ Errors are isolated via host ErrorBoundary.
Define `moduleFederationConfig` first for reuse:
```js
-const { ModuleFederationPlugin } = require('webpack').container;
-const NativeFederationTypeScriptHost = require('@module-federation/native-federation-typescript/host');
+const ModuleFederationPlugin = require('webpack/lib/container/ModuleFederationPlugin');
+const { NativeFederationTypeScriptHost } = require('@module-federation/native-federation-typescript/webpack');
const moduleFederationConfig = {
name: 'my-plugin',
@@ -304,23 +298,40 @@ const moduleFederationConfig = {
react: { singleton: true },
'react-dom': { singleton: true },
'styled-components': { singleton: true },
- 'cunningham-react': { singleton: true },
+ '@openfun/cunningham-react': { singleton: true },
+ '@tanstack/react-query': { singleton: true },
},
};
-module.exports = {
- plugins: [
- new ModuleFederationPlugin(moduleFederationConfig),
- ...(dev ? [NativeFederationTypeScriptHost({ moduleFederationConfig })] : []),
- ]
+module.exports = (env, argv) => {
+ const dev = argv.mode !== 'production';
+
+ return {
+ entry: './src/index.tsx',
+ plugins: [
+ new ModuleFederationPlugin(moduleFederationConfig),
+ ...(dev ? [NativeFederationTypeScriptHost({ moduleFederationConfig })] : []),
+ ],
+ };
};
```
-Adjust names/paths; declare shared libs as singletons. Use relative remotes if the plugin `remoteEntry.js` lives in host's public folder (e.g., public/plugins/my-plugin/remoteEntry.js).
+Adjust names/paths; declare shared libs as singletons. Use relative remotes if the plugin `remoteEntry.js` lives in host's public folder (e.g., `public/plugins/my-plugin/remoteEntry.js`).
```diff
- impress: 'impress@localhost:3000/_next/static/chunks/remoteEntry.js'
+ impress: 'impress@/_next/static/chunks/remoteEntry.js',
```
+### Choosing Shared Dependencies
+
+The `shared` configuration in `webpack.config.js` is critical for performance and stability. Here’s a guide to help you decide which dependencies to share:
+
+- **Minimal Shared Libraries**: Your plugin should always share `react`, `react-dom`, `styled-components`, and `@openfun/cunningham-react`. This ensures that your plugin uses the same core libraries as the host, preventing version conflicts and unnecessary duplication.
+
+- **Sharing State**: Libraries that rely on a global cache or context (e.g. `@tanstack/react-query`) must be shared. If each bundle ships its own copy, the React Query context and cache live in parallel universes—the plugin's hooks will not see the host's `QueryClient`, forcing duplicate fetches or even errors. Align your plugin's dependency version with the host so the Module Federation singleton can reuse the host instance instead of bundling a second copy.
+
+- **Expanding Shared Libraries**: Before adding a new library to your plugin, check if the host already provides it. Running the host with `NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVELOP_PLUGINS=true` prints the effective `moduleFederationConfig.shared` map (singletons + versions) to the Next.js dev server logs on startup, so you can align your plugin's `package.json` without guessing. Reusing host-provided libraries keeps the plugin lightweight and avoids duplicate bundles.
+
+
For plugin config example, see Configuration section.
## Summary