Optimizely CMS: Glob Pattern Negation Issue

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Hey guys, have you ever run into a snag when using glob patterns in Optimizely CMS, specifically within the buildConfig.components setting? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone! Many of us have wrestled with the limitations of these patterns, especially when it comes to excluding certain files. This article will dive deep into the problem, why it happens, and what we can do about it. Let's get started!

The Heart of the Matter: Glob Patterns and the Lack of Negation

So, what's the deal? The core issue revolves around the components array in optimizely.config.mjs. When we use glob patterns to specify content types and display templates, we often run into a wall: the system doesn't natively support negation patterns. This means you can't easily exclude specific files from being included, which can cause some real headaches. For instance, if you're trying to keep things neat and tidy by excluding your index.ts files (which often act as re-export hubs), you're out of luck using the current setup.

The TypeScript Index.ts Dilemma

Let's paint a picture. Imagine you're working on a TypeScript project, and you're using index.ts files to streamline your imports. This is a super common and smart move, right? These files act like a central point, allowing you to import everything from a single location:

// src/content-types/index.ts
export { ArticlePageCT } from './ArticlePage';
export { TextElementCT } from './TextElement';
// etc.

Then, in your consuming code, you do this:

// Clean import from index
import { ArticlePageCT, TextElementCT } from '@/content-types';

This is much cleaner than importing each file individually. But, here's the rub: when glob patterns are used to find files, the system can end up finding the same content type multiple times. This is because the glob pattern might pick up both the individual file (like ArticlePage.ts) and the index.ts file that re-exports it.

The Problem Unpacked: Duplicate Content Type Registrations

What happens when you have those duplicates? Well, it's not pretty. When the CLI scans your files, it sees the same content type declared in multiple places. This leads to errors when you try to push your changes to the CMS. You might see something like this:

Content Type ArticlePage found in ./src/content-types/ArticlePage.ts
Content Type ArticlePage found in ./src/content-types/index.ts
Content Type TextElement found in ./src/content-types/TextElement.ts
Content Type TextElement found in ./src/content-types/index.ts

And then, when you try to deploy, you'll be hit with errors:

Errors:
- ContentType 'ArticlePage' conflicts on name with existing content type 'ArticlePage'

It’s a frustrating situation because it stops you from deploying your hard work. Basically, the system gets confused by the duplicate entries, and your deployment fails. This is a very frustrating problem for developers.

The Expected vs. Actual Behavior: A Glob Pattern Discrepancy

Ideally, we'd expect glob patterns to support negation. We should be able to tell the system to include all *.ts files except index.ts files. Here's how that might look:

export default buildConfig({
  components: [
    './src/content-types/**/*.ts',
    './src/display-templates/**/*.ts',
    '!./src/content-types/index.ts', // Should exclude this file
    '!./src/display-templates/index.ts', // Should exclude this file
  ],
});

But that's not what happens. Instead, the negation patterns are ignored or simply not supported. The index.ts files are still scanned, causing those pesky duplicate content type registrations. This is where the core issue lies. The lack of negation support directly leads to errors and forces developers to seek workarounds.

Workarounds and Their Limitations: A Temporary Fix

So, what can we do in the meantime? Well, the most common workaround is to manually list each file in the components array: This means instead of using a glob pattern, you explicitly name every single file, like this:

export default buildConfig({
  components: [
    './src/content-types/ArticlePage.ts',
    './src/content-types/CardBlock.ts',
    './src/content-types/TextElement.ts',
    // ... etc
    './src/display-templates/TextElementDisplayTemplate.ts',
  ],
});

While this works, it's not ideal, right? It's less maintainable because you have to manually add every new file to the list. This increases the risk of errors and takes extra time. Imagine having to update this list every time you add a new content type or display template! It's a tedious process, especially in larger projects with many content types.

Suggested Solutions: Paving the Path Forward

So, what's the path forward? Here are a few suggested solutions that could greatly improve this situation:

  1. Support Negation Patterns: The most straightforward solution is to implement standard glob negation syntax (!pattern). This would allow developers to easily exclude files like index.ts and keep their configurations clean and maintainable. This is the most direct solution and the one that would likely provide the most satisfaction to developers. Implementing this feature would make the configuration much more flexible.
  2. Deduplicate by Key: Another option would be to deduplicate content types based on their key. If the same content type key is found in multiple files, the system could use the first occurrence and skip the duplicates, with a warning to alert developers. This approach would prevent the errors caused by duplicate registrations. This solution would involve checking for duplicate content types and handling them gracefully.
  3. Auto-Exclude Index Files: A more specific solution would be to automatically exclude index.ts and index.js files. Since these files typically only contain re-exports, they often cause the duplicate registration problem. This approach would provide a quick fix for a common issue and reduce the likelihood of errors. This would be a targeted solution, specifically addressing the index.ts issue.

Environment Details: The Tech Stack in Play

For those of you curious, here's the environment in which this issue was observed:

  • @optimizely/cms-sdk: ^0.1.0-alpha.16
  • @optimizely/cms-cli: latest
  • Node.js: v22.19.0
  • OS: Windows

Knowing the environment helps to understand the context and potential causes of the problem. This can be useful if you’re looking to troubleshoot similar issues or contributing to the solution.

Conclusion: Seeking a Smoother Workflow

In conclusion, the current lack of negation support for glob patterns in Optimizely CMS can lead to frustrating duplicate content type registration errors. While workarounds exist, they are less maintainable and can slow down your development process. Implementing negation, deduplication, or auto-exclusion features would greatly improve the developer experience and make working with content types and display templates much smoother. Let’s hope we see some improvements in this area to make our lives easier!

This issue highlights the importance of well-designed configuration options and the need for flexibility in handling project structures. By addressing this limitation, Optimizely CMS can become an even more powerful and user-friendly platform for developers. Hopefully, the suggested solutions will be considered for future updates, leading to a more streamlined and efficient development workflow.