TerriaJS Release Notes 8.8.0: Webpack 5 Upgrade, Vector Tile Enhancements & More
TerriaJS 8.8.0 is here! This update brings a major Webpack 5 upgrade, better vector tile handling, and several improvements that modernise our build system and improve performance. Read on for the key highlights and what’s next for TerriaJS!
Webpack 5 Upgrade: A More Efficient Build System
Why this matters:
Faster builds
More modern module handling
Improved performance
Key Changes
✅ Migrated to ESM (import instead of require())
✅ Removed legacy Babel transforms for better browser compatibility
✅ Replaced outdated loaders (raw-loader, file-loader, url-loader)
✅ Hot code reloading removed (not widely used, simplified configuration)
✅ Sass Upgrade: Now using Sass 1.81+, migrated to modern API
🗺️ Vector Tile Enhancements: Improved Rendering & Compatibility
We’ve significantly improved vector tile handling by switching from protomaps to protomaps-leaflet. This results in:
✅ Better 2D & 3D support across map viewers
✅ Increased tile vertex limit (previously capped at 5400)
✅ Simplified codebase by integrating Protomaps implementation
✅ Note: Now supports only a subset of the Mapbox style spec
Migration Guide: What You Need to Update
If you’ve modified the Webpack configuration or use custom styles, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Webpack Changes: Remove Webpack import qualifiers (except web-workers).
Sass Changes: Update imports (
~terriajs-variablesand~terriajs-mixinsare no longer available).Adopt Modern Sass API: Migrate away from deprecated global variables.
🚀 What’s Next For TerriaJS?
Looking ahead, we’re focusing on:
🔹 A fresh new TerriaJS UI! Try it out: map.terria.io
🔹 Community roadmap publication so you can stay informed
🔹 React upgrade (previously blocked, now in progress)
🔹 Improved testing system for better stability
📌 Get Involved & Read the Full Release Notes
Read the full changelog on GitHub: CHANGES.md
Have feedback? Join the conversation in our community forums or GitHub discussions.
Want to contribute? Check out our developer guide and get involved!
About Terria
Terria makes it easy to build advanced maps and digital twins, so you can see the bigger picture. Our digital maps and spatial digital twin technology make it easy for you to unlock the full potential of your data, enabling faster, smarter decision-making. We help you transform complex data into clear, actionable insights, so you can tackle real-world challenges with confidence and precision.
At Terria, we believe that data transparency has the power to transform how businesses operate, make decisions, and engage with stakeholders—ultimately leading to better outcomes for all. Find out more here https://terria.io/about
To stay updated on all Terria Community activity, follow us on LinkedIn and X
