Troubleshooting MacOS Desktop App Build Failures ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND

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Building a desktop application for MacOS can sometimes present challenges. This article delves into a common issue encountered while building the Tutanota desktop client on MacOS 15.5 Sequoia, providing a step-by-step guide to diagnose and resolve the problem. If you've run into a similar error, this comprehensive guide is designed to help you understand the root cause and implement effective solutions.

Understanding the Bug: ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND

When attempting to build the Tutanota desktop client for MacOS, users may encounter a specific error during the final build step. The error message typically looks like this:

node:internal/modules/esm/resolve:204
 const resolvedOption = FSLegacyMainResolve(pkgPath, packageConfig.main, baseStringified);
 ^

Error: Cannot find package '/Users/srm/Documents/srm/dev/tutanota/node_modules/@tutao/tuta-wasm-loader/dist/index.js' imported from /Users/srm/Documents/srm/dev/tutanota/buildSrc/buildWebapp.js
 at legacyMainResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/resolve:204:26)
 at packageResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/resolve:778:12)
 at moduleResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/resolve:854:18)
 at defaultResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/resolve:984:11)
 at ModuleLoader.defaultResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:780:12)
 at #cachedDefaultResolve (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:704:25)
 at ModuleLoader.resolve (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:687:38)
 at ModuleLoader.getModuleJobForImport (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:305:38)
 at ModuleJob._link (node:internal/modules/esm/module_job:175:49) {
 code: 'ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND'
}

Node.js v22.17.0

This error, ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND, indicates that the Node.js runtime cannot locate a specific module, in this case, /node_modules/@tutao/tuta-wasm-loader/dist/index.js. This missing module is crucial for the build process, as it's responsible for loading the WebAssembly (wasm) components of the Tutanota application. Understanding this error is the first step towards resolving the build failure. The error typically arises due to issues with dependency installation or file paths within the project.

Prerequisites and Initial Setup

Before diving into the solutions, it's essential to ensure that all prerequisites are correctly set up. The Tutanota build process requires specific versions of Git, Node.js, and npm. Here’s a breakdown of the necessary steps and common pitfalls:

  1. Fork and Clone the Repository:

    Begin by forking the Tutanota repository on GitHub. This creates a personal copy of the project in your GitHub account. Next, clone the forked repository to your local machine using the following command:

git clone --recurse-submodules -j8 git+ssh://[email protected]/sr-murthy/tutanota ```

The `--recurse-submodules` flag is **critical** because it ensures that all submodules, including the `tuta-wasm-loader`, are also cloned. Failing to include this flag is a common cause of the `ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND` error. The `-j8` option speeds up the cloning process by using 8 parallel jobs.

  1. Verify Git Installation:

    Ensure that Git is installed on your system and that the version meets the project requirements. You can check the Git version using the following command:

git version ```

The output should display the installed Git version, for example:

```

git version 2.39.5 (Apple Git-154) ```

If Git is not installed or the version is outdated, download and install the latest version from the official Git website.

  1. Node.js and npm Setup:

    Tutanota requires a specific version of Node.js and npm. It’s highly recommended to use Node Version Manager (nvm) to manage Node.js versions. nvm allows you to install and switch between multiple Node.js versions easily. First, install nvm using the instructions on the nvm repository. Once nvm is installed, you can install the required Node.js version:

nvm install node ```

This command installs the latest version of Node.js. Next, verify the Node.js and npm versions using the following commands:

```

node -v nvm -v npm -v ```

The output should display the installed Node.js, nvm, and npm versions. For example:

```

v22.17.0 0.40.3 10.9.2 ```

Using the correct Node.js and npm versions is crucial for a successful build. Incompatible versions can lead to various errors, including the `ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND`.

Diagnosing the ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND Error

If you’ve encountered the ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND error, the first step is to verify that the @tutao/tuta-wasm-loader module is indeed missing. Navigate to the node_modules directory within your cloned Tutanota repository:

cd /Users/srm/Documents/srm/dev/tutanota/node_modules

Check if the @tutao/tuta-wasm-loader directory exists. If it's missing, this confirms that the submodule was not correctly cloned or installed. Here’s a checklist to help diagnose the issue:

  1. Submodule Initialization:

    Ensure that submodules are initialized and updated. After cloning the repository, run the following commands to initialize and update submodules:

git submodule init git submodule update ```

These commands fetch the submodule content and place it in the correct directories.

  1. Node.js Version Compatibility:

    Verify that your Node.js version is compatible with the project requirements. Refer to the Tutanota documentation or repository for the recommended Node.js version. If your version is incompatible, use nvm to switch to the correct version:

nvm use <required_node_version> ```

Replace `<required_node_version>` with the appropriate Node.js version.

  1. npm Installation Issues:

    Sometimes, npm installations can fail due to network issues or corrupted cache. Try clearing the npm cache and reinstalling the dependencies:

npm cache clean --force npm install ```

The `npm cache clean --force` command clears the npm cache, and `npm install` reinstalls the project dependencies.

  1. File Path Errors:

    Double-check the file paths in the error message. Ensure that the path /Users/srm/Documents/srm/dev/tutanota/node_modules/@tutao/tuta-wasm-loader/dist/index.js exists and that the file index.js is present. If the path is incorrect or the file is missing, it indicates an issue with the submodule installation or file structure.

Solutions to Resolve the Build Error

Once you've diagnosed the cause of the ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND error, you can implement the appropriate solution. Here are several effective strategies to resolve the issue:

1. Ensure Submodules Are Properly Initialized and Updated

The most common cause of this error is failing to clone the submodules correctly. After cloning the repository, run the following commands to initialize and update them:

git submodule init
git submodule update

These commands ensure that the @tutao/tuta-wasm-loader submodule is fetched and placed in the node_modules directory. If you've already run these commands, try running them again to ensure that no errors occurred during the initial execution.

2. Verify and Manage Node.js Version

Using an incompatible Node.js version can lead to various build errors. Tutanota may require a specific Node.js version, so it’s crucial to verify this. Use nvm to install and switch to the recommended version:

nvm install <required_node_version>
nvm use <required_node_version>

Check the Tutanota documentation or repository for the <required_node_version>. Switching to the correct Node.js version can resolve compatibility issues and ensure a smooth build process.

3. Clean npm Cache and Reinstall Dependencies

Sometimes, cached npm packages can cause conflicts or errors. Clearing the npm cache and reinstalling the dependencies can resolve these issues:

npm cache clean --force
npm install

The npm cache clean --force command clears the npm cache, ensuring that you start with a clean slate. The npm install command then reinstalls all the project dependencies from scratch. This process can help eliminate corrupted or outdated packages that might be causing the ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND error.

4. Manually Install Missing Module

In some cases, the @tutao/tuta-wasm-loader module might still be missing even after running git submodule update. You can try manually installing the module by navigating to the submodule directory and running npm install:

cd node_modules/@tutao/tuta-wasm-loader
npm install

This ensures that the module’s dependencies are correctly installed, which can resolve the ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND error.

5. Check File Paths and Manual Verification

Double-check the file paths in the error message to ensure they are correct. Manually verify that the index.js file exists in the /node_modules/@tutao/tuta-wasm-loader/dist/ directory. If the file is missing or the path is incorrect, it indicates a deeper issue with the submodule installation or file structure.

6. Re-Clone the Repository

If all else fails, a drastic but sometimes necessary step is to re-clone the repository. This ensures that you have a fresh copy of the project without any potential corruption or incomplete files:

rm -rf tutanota
git clone --recurse-submodules -j8 git+ssh://[email protected]/sr-murthy/tutanota

This command removes the existing tutanota directory and re-clones the repository with all submodules. After re-cloning, make sure to run npm install to install the project dependencies.

Final Build Step and Verification

After implementing the solutions, try running the final build step again:

node desktop --custom-desktop-release

If the build completes successfully, you should have a functional Tutanota desktop client for MacOS. If the error persists, review the steps above and ensure that each solution was implemented correctly. Check for any error messages during the build process that might provide additional clues.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

  1. Check for Typos:

    Typos in commands or file paths can lead to errors. Double-check all commands and paths for any mistakes.

  2. Review Error Messages:

    Pay close attention to the error messages. They often provide valuable information about the cause of the problem.

  3. Consult Documentation and Forums:

    Refer to the Tutanota documentation and community forums for additional troubleshooting tips and solutions. Other users may have encountered similar issues and found effective resolutions.

  4. System Environment:

    Ensure your system environment is correctly configured for Node.js development. This includes setting up environment variables and ensuring that necessary tools are installed.

Conclusion

Building desktop applications can be a complex process, and encountering errors like ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND is not uncommon. By systematically diagnosing the issue and implementing the appropriate solutions, you can overcome these challenges and successfully build the Tutanota desktop client for MacOS. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting build failures, ensuring that you have the necessary steps and knowledge to resolve the problem effectively. Remember to verify prerequisites, check submodule installations, manage Node.js versions, and clean npm caches. With patience and attention to detail, you can achieve a successful build and enjoy the benefits of a custom-built Tutanota desktop application.