support for the experimental syntax 'jsx' isn't currently enabled

Cander Author

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09-03-2025

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Conquer the "Support for the experimental syntax 'jsx' isn't currently enabled" Error

Encountering the dreaded "Support for the experimental syntax 'JSX' isn't currently enabled" error message can be frustrating, especially when you're eager to dive into React development. This error simply means your JavaScript environment doesn't recognize JSX, a syntax extension that allows you to write HTML-like code within your JavaScript. Don't worry, this is a common issue with a straightforward fix. This article will guide you through troubleshooting and resolving this problem in various development environments.

Understanding the Problem

JSX isn't standard JavaScript. It's a syntax extension primarily used with React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Browsers and standard JavaScript interpreters don't understand JSX out-of-the-box. To use JSX, you need a tool to transform it into regular JavaScript that browsers can execute. This transformation is typically handled by a build process or a compiler like Babel.

Solutions for Different Environments

The solution depends on your setup:

1. React Projects using Create React App (CRA):

If you're using Create React App (the recommended way to start a new React project), you generally don't need to worry about this error. CRA handles the JSX transformation automatically. If you're still encountering this, ensure:

• Correct Project Setup: Double-check that you've correctly created your React project using npx create-react-app my-app (or yarn create react-app my-app).
• Dependencies: Make sure all necessary packages are installed and updated. Run npm install or yarn install within your project directory.
• Correct File Extension: Ensure your React component files have the .jsx extension (e.g., MyComponent.jsx).

2. Using Babel Directly:

If you're not using CRA, you'll need to configure Babel to transpile your JSX. Here's a general outline:

• Install Babel: Make sure you have Babel installed: npm install --save-dev @babel/core @babel/preset-react
• Create a Babel Configuration File (.babelrc): Create a .babelrc file in your project's root directory with the following content:

{
  "presets": ["@babel/preset-react"]
}

• Use Babel in Your Build Process: You'll need to integrate Babel into your build process (e.g., using Webpack, Parcel, or Rollup). The specific steps depend on your chosen build tool. Consult the documentation for your build tool for instructions on configuring Babel.

3. Using TypeScript with JSX:

If you're using TypeScript with JSX, you'll need the @babel/preset-typescript preset in addition to @babel/preset-react. Your .babelrc would look like this:

{
  "presets": ["@babel/preset-react", "@babel/preset-typescript"]
}

Remember to install the necessary TypeScript packages: npm install --save-dev @types/react @types/react-dom

4. VS Code and Other IDEs:

Your code editor might also need configuration. Ensure that your editor is correctly configured to recognize JSX. This typically involves setting the language mode to JavaScript React or selecting a relevant extension.

Debugging Tips:

• Check Your Package.json: Verify that the necessary Babel packages are listed in your package.json file under devDependencies.
• Clean and Rebuild: Sometimes, a clean build can resolve issues. Try deleting the node_modules folder and reinstalling your dependencies.
• Restart Your Development Server: Restarting your development server often clears any cached configurations.
• Consult Relevant Documentation: Check the documentation for your specific build tool (Webpack, Parcel, Rollup, etc.) and React for detailed configuration instructions.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "Support for the experimental syntax 'JSX' isn't currently enabled" error and get back to building your React applications. Remember that the specific solution will depend on your development environment and build process. If you're still facing issues, providing more details about your setup will help in pinpointing the problem.