When you try to dynamically import() a file that does not exist yet (because it is generated at build time, like the Pagefind index), Vite throws an error in development mode and stops the server.
The typical /* @vite-ignore */ comment is sometimes not enough if Vite scans the static path.
The Solution
The trick is to hide the path in a variable. By doing this, Vite gives up on static analysis and allows the code to execute (or fail gracefully in a try/catch).
javascript
try {
// ❌ Esto falla en dev si el archivo no existe
// await import('/pagefind/pagefind.js');
// ✅ Esto funciona (Vite ignora el análisis)
const url = '/pagefind/pagefind.js';
await import(/_ @vite-ignore _/ url);
} catch (e) {
console.warn('Pagefind no disponible en dev');
}try {
// ❌ Esto falla en dev si el archivo no existe
// await import('/pagefind/pagefind.js');
// ✅ Esto funciona (Vite ignora el análisis)
const url = '/pagefind/pagefind.js';
await import(/_ @vite-ignore _/ url);
} catch (e) {
console.warn('Pagefind no disponible en dev');
}It’s a small hack, but very useful for post-build libraries like Pagefind or dynamically generated WASM.