webpack v5 with express: compiler.apply is not a function

[mmaday]

Please provide a description of the bug / issue, and provide the details below:

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If the issue is visual, please provide screenshots here

When using webpack-dashboard with webpack version 5 and express, the following error occurs:

TypeError: compiler.apply is not a function

This can be resolved by adding the Dashboard plugin to the plugins section of the webpack config.

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Steps to reproduce the problem

Follow the express instructions:

// Import the plugin:
var DashboardPlugin = require("webpack-dashboard/plugin");

// If you are using an express based dev server, add it with compiler.apply
compiler.apply(new DashboardPlugin());

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Please provide a gist of relevant files

1. package.json (specifically the script you are using to start the dashboard)
2. webpack.config.js
3. index.js (Your express based dev server, if applicable)

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More Details

There are some vague mentions of this at https://webpack.js.org/migrate/5/#cleanup-the-build-code.

[ryan-roemer]

Hi @mmaday ! Can you see if the instructions in https://webpack.js.org/guides/development/#using-webpack-dev-middleware get you to a workable solution in your express set up? I'm rewriting the docs to point to this resource and recommend using a straight configuration file in all scenarios (as webpack now recommends). Thanks!