Turborepo: A better way to implement a mono-repo architecture
Tags: react, javascript, turborepo, monorepo
Published: 2023-04-02 10:30:46

As modern software development teams grow and projects become more complex, managing dependencies and maintaining consistency between multiple projects can become a challenge. One way to tackle this problem is by using a monorepo, which is a repository that contains multiple packages, each with its own versioning and dependency management.
However, setting up a monorepo can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to managing the build and deployment process. This is where [Turborepo ](https://turbo.build/repo)comes in, providing a simple and efficient solution for managing a React monorepo.

> Turborepo is an open-source tool that simplifies the creation and management of monorepos, specifically for React projects. It uses Yarn workspaces to manage dependencies and allows for easy sharing of code between projects. Turborepo also provides a number of useful scripts for building, testing, and deploying projects within the monorepo.

###Benefits of using Turborepo

1. **Simplified setup**: Turborepo automates the setup process for creating a monorepo, saving time and effort.
2. **Consistent dependencies**: Yarn workspaces ensure that all projects within the monorepo use the same dependencies, reducing the risk of conflicts and errors.
3. **Easy sharing of code**: Projects within the monorepo can easily share code, reducing code duplication and improving maintainability.
4. **Streamlined testing and deployment**: Turborepo provides scripts for building, testing, and deploying projects within the monorepo, making these processes simpler and more efficient.

###Creating a React Monorepo with Turborepo

To create a React monorepo using Turborepo, follow these steps:

1. To create a new monorepo, use our [create-turbo](https://www.npmjs.com/package/create-turbo) npm package
    ```
    npx create-turbo@latest
    ```
    This installs the `create-turbo` CLI, and runs it followed by 
    several questions. Choose appropriate answers and proceed.

2. After completion of the above step, `create-turbo` creates a bunch of files inside the directory that you just have created.
`create-turbo` gave you a description of all of the things it was adding.
![create-turbo](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/au5b1950cnzrhundz60o.png)

3. Each of these is a workspace - a folder containing a `package.json`. Each workspace can declare its own dependencies, run its own scripts, and export code for other workspaces to use.

4. Add a new React project: To add a new React project to the monorepo, navigate to the apps directory and run the command
    ```
    npm create vite@latest
    ```
    This will create a new directory with a basic React project set up using [vite](https://vitejs.dev/guide/).

5. Manage dependencies: To manage dependencies for the project, navigate to the project directory and run `npm i <dependency-name>`. This will add the dependency to the project's `package.json` file and to the root package-lock.json file.

6. Build, test, and deploy: Use the various scripts provided by Turborepo to build, test, and deploy projects within the monorepo.

Overall process:

![Turborepo overall process](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fywzd6orwevc0za6jay9.png)

###Conclusion
Using a monorepo for managing multiple projects can be complex, but [Turborepo](https://turbo.build/repo) simplifies the process for React projects. By automating setup, managing dependencies with Yarn workspaces, and providing scripts for building, testing, and deploying projects, Turborepo makes it easier to manage a React monorepo.


### And more...
- Check [Hybrowlabs](https://hybrowlabs.com/react-js-dev-outsourcing) for React app development services.