How to setup the NODE_ENV variable

setting-the-node-env-variable.md

NODE_ENV works like any other environment variable (e.g. PATH) and it depends on your platform how to set it:

• Linux and OSX use the simple format NODE_ENV=production
• Windows uses the SET NODE_ENV=production

You can explicitly set it before starting your npm run script by prepending the previous format:

package.json

{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "NODE_ENV=production webpack"
  }
}

cross-env makes it so you can have a single command without worrying about setting or using the environment variable properly for the platform. Just set it like you would if it's running on a POSIX system, and cross-env will take care of setting it properly:

First, run npm i -D cross-env, next change your npm run script:

{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "cross-env NODE_ENV=production webpack"
  }
}