Full-stack-skills threejs-dev-setup

Bootstrap and toolchain guidance for three.js applications using npm, Vite/Webpack/Rollup, bare ESM import maps, and TypeScript. Covers canonical import paths for three core versus three/addons/ (examples/jsm re-exports), version alignment with threejs.org docs, and fixing module not found for loaders and controls. Use when scaffolding a new 3D project, migrating bundler, or debugging resolution of addons; do not use for rendering API details (see threejs-renderers) or asset loading logic (see threejs-loaders).

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/partme-ai/full-stack-skills
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/partme-ai/full-stack-skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/threejs-skills/threejs-dev-setup" ~/.claude/skills/partme-ai-full-stack-skills-threejs-dev-setup && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: skills/threejs-skills/threejs-dev-setup/SKILL.md
source content

When to use this skill

ALWAYS use this skill when the user mentions:

  • Creating or configuring a new three.js project, Vite/Webpack/Rollup entry, or browser
    importmap
  • Installing the
    three
    package, aligning version with documentation, or TypeScript setup (
    @types/three
    where applicable)
  • Import errors for
    three/addons/...
    ,
    examples/jsm
    , ESM vs CJS interop, or bare specifier resolution

IMPORTANT: this skill vs runtime topics

  • threejs-dev-setup = install paths, bundler, module graph, and where to import addons from.
  • threejs-renderers =
    WebGLRenderer
    /
    WebGPURenderer
    , canvas, pixel ratio, render loop—after the project loads.
  • threejs-loaders =
    GLTFLoader
    ,
    DRACOLoader
    , progress callbacks—after imports resolve.

Trigger phrases include:

  • "vite three.js", "webpack three", "import map", "three/addons", "cannot find module", "jsm"
  • "新建项目", "安装 three", "找不到模块", "ESM", "TypeScript three"

How to use this skill

  1. Confirm delivery model: SPA bundler (Vite/Webpack), Node tooling, or static HTML with
    importmap
    —each affects how
    three/addons/
    resolves.
  2. Pin
    three
    version
    to a release compatible with the docs the user cites; note that addon paths follow the published package layout.
  3. Show canonical imports: core from
    three
    ; controls/loaders/effects from
    three/addons/...
    (mapped to
    examples/jsm
    in source tree). See examples/workflow-scaffold.md.
  4. Minimal loop: create renderer + scene + camera + one mesh to verify toolchain works.
  5. TypeScript: enable
    moduleResolution
    appropriate for bundler; reference types from
    three
    package typings; avoid duplicating global script tag patterns unless user targets no-bundler HTML.
  6. On failure: distinguish missing dependency vs wrong path vs SSR context (no
    window
    /
    document
    ).
  7. Deepening: link user to three.js manual first chapter after scaffold works.

Example: Vite + three.js minimal verification

npm create vite@latest my-3d-app -- --template vanilla && cd my-3d-app
npm install three
// main.js — canonical imports and minimal render loop
import * as THREE from 'three';
import { OrbitControls } from 'three/addons/controls/OrbitControls.js';

const scene = new THREE.Scene();
const camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(75, innerWidth / innerHeight, 0.1, 100);
camera.position.z = 3;

const renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer();
renderer.setSize(innerWidth, innerHeight);
document.body.appendChild(renderer.domElement);

const mesh = new THREE.Mesh(
  new THREE.BoxGeometry(),
  new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: 0x00ff00 })
);
scene.add(mesh, new THREE.AmbientLight(0xffffff, 0.5));

renderer.setAnimationLoop(() => renderer.render(scene, camera));

Doc map (official)

Docs sectionRepresentative links
Manual (getting started)https://threejs.org/manual/
Docs indexhttps://threejs.org/docs/
Package / install contexthttps://www.npmjs.com/package/three

Scope

  • In scope: npm/install, bundlers, import maps, TypeScript basics for three, addon import paths, minimal verification snippet.
  • Out of scope: WebGL theory, full render target or post stack (threejs-renderers, threejs-postprocessing), physics, deployment beyond "build runs".

Common pitfalls and best practices

  • Mixing multiple
    three
    copies in one page breaks singletons; dedupe with bundler aliases.
  • Importing addons from deep
    node_modules/.../examples/jsm
    paths is fragile; prefer package exports
    three/addons/...
    when available.
  • Always match r152+ style color management docs when giving snippet defaults (output color space)—point to threejs-renderers/textures for details.
  • SSR frameworks need dynamic import or client-only components for WebGL context.

Documentation and version

Toolchain and import paths follow the three npm package version the user installs. The Manual and docs are updated with the library; addon paths (

three/addons/...
) must match the package layout for that release—when in doubt, cite the version number and the exact import line from the current docs.

Agent response checklist

When answering under this skill, prefer responses that:

  1. Name the bundler or runtime (Vite, Webpack, bare ESM,
    importmap
    ) and the intended
    three
    version.
  2. Link https://threejs.org/manual/ and/or https://threejs.org/docs/ for authoritative setup context.
  3. Distinguish threejs-dev-setup (resolution) from threejs-renderers (runtime API) failures.
  4. Never assume global script tags unless the user explicitly uses CDN/no-bundler HTML.
  5. Recommend deduplicating
    three
    in
    package.json
    / lockfile when duplicate singleton issues appear.

Keywords

English: three.js, vite, webpack, rollup, import map, typescript, npm, three/addons, examples jsm, module resolution, scaffold

中文: three.js 安装、构建、importmap、模块解析、three/addons、脚手架、Vite、Webpack