How to Resolve ‘@tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react’ Not Found Error

Running into a module not found error while working with Vite and TanStack Router can be jarring, especially when the package seems official and documentation implies it should “just work.” The issue becomes more confusing when everything else in the setup functions correctly, but attempting to configure Vite’s plugin system with @tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react results in an abrupt failure. Understanding why this error occurs and how to navigate around it can save hours of frustration.

Understanding the Error

The specific error message often looks like this:

Error: Cannot find module '@tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react'

This typically surfaces when setting up a Vite-powered project that aims to integrate TanStack Router, especially while trying to enable plugin-based features like file-based routing or automatic route imports. Since @tanstack/router supports advanced routing capabilities for React, many expect it to come with seamless plugin support similar to Vite’s ecosystem.

But the error implies that the @tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react package either does not exist or is not properly published. In most cases, this error stems from assuming that a plugin like this is available publicly, even though it may only exist in documentation examples or in internal repositories.

Confirming Package Availability

Before trying fixes, it’s helpful to validate whether the package actually exists on the npm registry. Searching for the package on npmjs.com or querying via CLI:

npm info @tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react

This usually confirms that there is no such package published, explaining why installation fails. At this point, it becomes clear that the error is not caused by misconfiguration but by referencing a package that has not been made public or was never intended to be consumed independently.

Reviewing Official Recommendations

In some cases, blog posts, GitHub issues, or early documentation snippets may mention experimental Vite plugin support for TanStack Router. But looking at the official documentation for TanStack Router, the preferred installation typically revolves around core router logic and manual route definitions, not automated plugins.

Instead of relying on a non-existent plugin, the router is meant to be set up manually using JavaScript and React conventions. This setup aligns with practices described in more deliberate routing strategies like those seen in dynamic route configurations or role-based systems.

Suggested Workaround

Since there’s no official Vite plugin for TanStack Router yet, a practical approach involves defining routes manually and handling module imports dynamically, if necessary. A sample route setup looks like this:

import {
  createRouter,
  RouterProvider,
  Route,
  RootRoute,
} from '@tanstack/react-router'

const rootRoute = new RootRoute({
  component: () => <div><Outlet /></div>,
})

const indexRoute = new Route({
  getParentRoute: () => rootRoute,
  path: '/',
  component: () => <h1>Home</h1>,
})

const aboutRoute = new Route({
  getParentRoute: () => rootRoute,
  path: '/about',
  component: () => <h1>About</h1>,
})

const routeTree = rootRoute.addChildren([indexRoute, aboutRoute])
const router = createRouter({ routeTree })

function App() {
  return <RouterProvider router={router} />
}

By avoiding reliance on a missing plugin, this setup gives you full control while still using all the features of TanStack Router, including nested routes, loaders, and transitions.

Exploring Alternative Plugins

If the goal is to automate route creation or improve DX with Vite, other plugins such as vite-plugin-pages can still be used with some configuration, even though they are not specifically built for TanStack Router. These plugins generate an object tree of routes based on file names, which can then be transformed into TanStack Route definitions.

These tools can complement a TanStack Router setup when used creatively. However, they still require custom logic to bridge the gap between automatic file-based definitions and TanStack’s imperative route API.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

This error often surfaces in one of the following situations:

• Following outdated guides that reference experimental plugins
• Copying config snippets from GitHub issues without checking availability
• Assuming TanStack’s ecosystem mimics Next.js or similar frameworks

A helpful habit is verifying package existence before integrating unknown packages and checking changelogs or announcements from maintainers.

In cases where automatic routing is essential, considering alternatives like React Router or Remix might make more sense, depending on the project’s architecture and team familiarity.

Conclusion

The @tanstack/router-plugin-vite-react error highlights an important reality in frontend development: not every toolchain integration is fully matured or publicly available. Instead of waiting for a plugin that may never ship, developers can embrace manual configuration or creatively combine existing Vite plugins with TanStack’s powerful routing primitives. By avoiding dependency on non-existent packages, it becomes easier to build stable, scalable applications without unexpected breaking points.