Check your browser settings

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 147 views

npm run dev loads two new tabs with every change: A Vite Development Issue

Understanding the Issue

When you run npm run dev in your Vite project, you expect the development server to start and allow you to make changes to your code without having to restart the server. However, you may have noticed that every time you make a code change, two new tabs open in your browser. This behavior can be frustrating, especially if you're working on a large project with multiple files.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Run npm run dev in your terminal.
Make any code change in your project.
Observe that two new tabs open in your browser.

Why Does This Happen?

The reason behind this behavior is that Vite uses a technique called "hot reloading" to reload your application in real-time when you make changes to your code. When you run npm run dev, Vite starts a development server that watches your code files for changes. When a change is detected, Vite reloads your application in the browser. However, this reload process can sometimes cause the browser to open a new tab.

Similar Behavior in Jupyter Notebook

If you've used Jupyter Notebook before, you may have noticed similar behavior when you start it from the command line. When you run jupyter notebook in your terminal, it launches a file browser in your default web browser. This is because Jupyter Notebook uses a similar technique to Vite's hot reloading to reload your notebooks in real-time.

Disabling the Behavior

While the behavior of opening a new tab with every change can be annoying, it's not necessarily a bug. However, if you want to disable this behavior, you can try the following:

Check your browser settings: Make sure that your browser is not set to open new tabs automatically when a new window is opened.
Use a different browser: Try running your Vite project in a different browser to see if the issue persists.
Disable hot reloading: You can try disabling hot reloading in your Vite project by setting the hot option to false in your vite.config.js file. However, this may affect the performance of your development server.

Configuring Vite to Disable Hot Reloading

To disable hot reloading in your Vite project, you can add the following code to your vite.config.js file:

import { defineConfig } from 'vite';

export default defineConfig({
  hot: false,
});

This will disable hot reloading in your Vite project, but it may affect the performance of your development server.

Conclusion

The issue of npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change is a common problem in Vite development projects. While it's not necessarily a bug, it can be frustrating to deal with. By understanding the reasons behind this behavior and trying out different solutions, you can find a way to disable this behavior and improve your development experience.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you're still experiencing issues with npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change, here are some additional troubleshooting tips:

Check your Vite version: Make sure you're running the latest version of Vite.
Check your browser version: Make sure you're running the latest version of your browser.
Try a different browser: Try running your Vite project in a different browser to see if the issue persists.
Check your project configuration: Make sure your project configuration is correct and not causing the issue.

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common issues and solutions related to npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change:

Issue: Vite development server not starting: Solution: Check your project configuration and make sure the development server is configured correctly.
Issue: Browser not opening: Solution: Check your browser settings and make sure it's set to open new tabs automatically.
Issue: Hot reloading not working: Solution: Check your Vite configuration and make sure hot reloading is enabled.

Best Practices for Vite Development

Here are some best practices for Vite development that can help you avoid issues like npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change:

Use the latest version of Vite: Make sure you're running the latest version of Vite to avoid any known issues.
Check your project configuration: Make sure your project configuration is correct and not causing any issues.
Use a consistent coding style: Use a consistent coding style to avoid any issues with code formatting.
Test your code regularly: Test your code regularly to catch any issues before they become major problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change is a common problem in Vite development projects. By understanding the reasons behind this behavior and trying out different solutions, you can find a way to disable this behavior and improve your development experience. Remember to follow best practices for Vite development and troubleshoot any issues that arise to ensure a smooth development experience.
npm run dev loads two new tabs with every change: A Vite Development Issue - Q&A

Q: What is the issue with npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change?

A: The issue is that every time you make a code change, two new tabs open in your browser. This behavior can be frustrating, especially if you're working on a large project with multiple files.

Q: Why does this happen?

A: The reason behind this behavior is that Vite uses a technique called "hot reloading" to reload your application in real-time when you make changes to your code. When you run npm run dev, Vite starts a development server that watches your code files for changes. When a change is detected, Vite reloads your application in the browser. However, this reload process can sometimes cause the browser to open a new tab.

Q: Is this a bug?

A: No, this is not a bug. This behavior is a result of how Vite's hot reloading works. However, it can be annoying and affect your development experience.

Q: How can I disable this behavior?

A: You can try the following:

Check your browser settings: Make sure that your browser is not set to open new tabs automatically when a new window is opened.
Use a different browser: Try running your Vite project in a different browser to see if the issue persists.
Disable hot reloading: You can try disabling hot reloading in your Vite project by setting the hot option to false in your vite.config.js file.

Q: How do I configure Vite to disable hot reloading?

A: To disable hot reloading in your Vite project, you can add the following code to your vite.config.js file:

import { defineConfig } from 'vite';

export default defineConfig({
  hot: false,
});

This will disable hot reloading in your Vite project, but it may affect the performance of your development server.

Q: What are some common issues and solutions related to npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change?

A: Here are some common issues and solutions:

Issue: Vite development server not starting: Solution: Check your project configuration and make sure the development server is configured correctly.
Issue: Browser not opening: Solution: Check your browser settings and make sure it's set to open new tabs automatically.
Issue: Hot reloading not working: Solution: Check your Vite configuration and make sure hot reloading is enabled.

Q: What are some best practices for Vite development that can help me avoid issues like npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change?

A: Here are some best practices for Vite development:

Use the latest version of Vite: Make sure you're running the latest version of Vite to avoid any known issues.
Check your project configuration: Make sure your project configuration is correct and not causing any issues.
Use a consistent coding style: Use a consistent coding style to avoid any issues with code formatting.
Test your code regularly: Test your code regularly to catch any issues before they become major problems.

Q: Can I use a different browser to run my Vite project?

A: Yes, you can try running your Vite project in a different browser to see if the issue persists. This can help you determine if the issue is specific to your browser or if it's a Vite-related issue.

Q: How can I troubleshoot issues with npm run dev loading two new tabs with every change?

A: Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check your Vite version: Make sure you're running the latest version of Vite.
Check your browser version: Make sure you're running the latest version of your browser.
Try a different browser: Try running your Vite project in a different browser to see if the issue persists.
Check your project configuration: Make sure your project configuration is correct and not causing the issue.

Q: Can I use a different development server instead of Vite?

A: Yes, you can try using a different development server instead of Vite. However, this may require significant changes to your project configuration and may not be compatible with all Vite features.