Bun 1.3: Setting a New Standard for Full-Stack JavaScript Development

Bun 1.3 marks a transformative milestone for JavaScript developers, offering a truly full-stack, batteries-included runtime that streamlines both frontend and backend workflows. Whether you're building web apps or APIs, Bun 1.3 delivers speed, security, and productivity enhancements that set it apart from other runtimes.

Full-Stack Capabilities Out of the Box

The new dev server features hot reloading and real-time browser-to-terminal console logs, making local development seamless. Developers can now run HTML files directly, benefit from React Fast Refresh, and utilize Bun’s ultra-fast JavaScript and CSS transpilers. Scaffolding projects is easier than ever, with templates for React and Tailwind just a command away via bun init.

• Unified SQL API: Native support for MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite,no external dependencies required.
  
  
• Built-in Redis Client: Fast and reliable Redis integration with full Pub/Sub and command support.
  
  
• Advanced Routing: Flexible parameterized and wildcard routes, built-in CORS, and simple API/HTML imports,all processed efficiently within a single runtime.
  
  
• Standalone Executables: Bundle your entire app into a portable, single-file binary for effortless deployment.

Reimagined Package Management

Bun’s package manager now defaults to isolated installs in workspaces, eliminating dependency conflicts in complex monorepos. Centralized catalogs simplify version management across projects. Enhanced lockfile migration ensures smooth transitions from pnpm and Yarn. Integrated security scanning with the Security Scanner API keeps your codebase safer.

• Interactive Updates: Easily update dependencies with bun update --interactive Copy.
  
  
• Platform-Specific Installs: Filter dependencies by operating system and CPU architecture for targeted builds.
  
  
• New Management Tools: Commands like bun why Copy, bun info Copy, bun install --analyze Copy, and bun audit Copy make dependency and security management effortless.

Enhanced Testing and Debugging

Bun 1.3 introduces concurrent test execution, tighter VS Code integration, async stack traces, and advanced type assertions with expectTypeOf() Copy. Randomized test ordering helps uncover hidden bugs, while stricter CI mode blocks merges of overlooked or failing tests.

Broader Standards and API Support

Developers gain access to YAML parsing, built-in cookie management, WebAssembly streaming, zstd compression, and the DisposableStack API for resource management. WebSocket updates include compression and subprotocol negotiation. Security improves with Bun.secrets and robust CSRF protection.

Unrivaled Performance and Node.js Compatibility

Bun 1.3 slashes idle CPU and memory usage while dramatically accelerating operations like postMessage Copy and cryptography. Compatibility with Node.js is greatly expanded,thousands more tests pass, and support for modules like worker_threads Copy, vm Copy, and require.extensions Copy is now included, along with improved N-API support.

Refined Developer Experience

TypeScript defaults are smarter, console outputs are customizable, and BUN_OPTIONS lets you preset CLI arguments for every run. The Bun.stripANSI() utility removes ANSI codes up to 57 times faster than leading npm packages, streamlining log handling.

Robust Fixes and Breaking Changes

Hundreds of fixes target package management, runtime stability, SQL, HTTP/TLS, and Windows support. Notably, Bun.serve()’s TypeScript types have been refactored, and several defaults changed to promote safer, more predictable development.

Takeaway

Bun 1.3 is a comprehensive leap forward, positioning itself as the go-to platform for high-performance, full-stack JavaScript applications. With its rich APIs, cutting-edge tooling, modern standards, and exceptional speed, Bun 1.3 redefines what developers can expect from a JavaScript runtime. Ready to experience Bun? Simply run bun upgrade Copy or install it today.

Source: Bun Blog - Bun 1.3 Release