Tackling Jest Import Errors: How to Fix the ‘Defaults’ Headache

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If you’re deep into writing tests with Jest and hit a roadblock with an import error like this:

import { defaults } from 'jest-config';
                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome to the club! This common issue has stumped many developers, especially when dealing with different Jest versions and configuration setups. But fear not — we’ve got the fix to get you back to green tests in no time.

The Mystery Behind the Error

This error is likely related to how Jest handles imports from jest-config. Whether it's version mismatches, missing dependencies, or outdated documentation, there are a few likely suspects. The good news? Each one has a pretty simple solution.

Step 1: Check Your Jest Version

First things first, let’s make sure your Jest version is compatible with the way you’re trying to import defaults. Sometimes, Jest's API changes and methods or exports can move or disappear between updates.

Run this command to check your version:

npm list jest

Compare your version with the official Jest docs to ensure that you’re using an import method that aligns with your version.