Setting Up Bun as Your JavaScript Runtime in WebStorm and Other JetBrains IDEs

Bun is a modern JavaScript runtime that promises faster performance than Node.js (as of now), developers are keen on integrating it into their WebStorm setups. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to configure Bun as the Node interpreter and package manager in WebStorm for both new and existing projects.

Step 1: Install Bun

Before configuring WebStorm, you must install Bun on your system. You can install it via the official installation script:

curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash

> for more details about installation go https://bun.sh/docs/installation

Verify the installation by checking the installation path:

which bun

This typically returns /usr/local/bin/bun.

Step 2: Configure WebStorm for Bun

Access Settings: Open WebStorm and navigate to File > Settings (or WebStorm > Preferences on macOS).

Node.js and NPM Settings:

• Go to Languages & Frameworks > Node.js.
• Use the ... button next to the Node interpreter field to open the interpreter settings.

Add Bun as an Interpreter:

• In the Node.js Interpreters dialog, click the + and select Add Local.
• Navigate to the path where Bun is installed (/usr/local/bin/bun) and select the executable.

Set Package Manager:

• Adjust the Package manager field to point to the same Bun binary (/usr/local/bin/bun).

Apply Changes:

• Click Apply, then OK to save your configuration.

Step 3: Creating and Configuring New Projects

When starting a new project:

1. Open the New Project Dialog: Go to File > New > Project....
2. Select Project Type: Choose the desired project type, such as Node.js or React.
3. Configure Bun:

• Ensure the Node interpreter and Package manager fields both point to /usr/local/bin/bun.

4. Set the Project Location and Create Project.

Step 4: Configuring Existing Projects

To update an existing project:

1. Open Project Settings: Navigate to File > Settings > Languages & Frameworks > Node.js and NPM.
2. Adjust the Interpreter and Package Manager:

• Make sure both point to /usr/local/bin/bun.

3. Apply Changes.

Integrating Bun into WebStorm has noticeably improved my development workflow by making it quicker and more efficient. It’s like powering up your IDE with a more robust engine, enhancing both performance and productivity with WebStorm. I find it beneficial for JavaScript development — until Node.js offers a superior alternative.