ESLint Parsing error: Unexpected token

Are you facing an ESLint parsing error with the message “Unexpected token”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This error is quite common when working with JavaScript, but fortunately, there are a few solutions to fix it.

Solution 1: Update ESLint Configuration

The first solution is to update your ESLint configuration to include the correct parser options. This error usually occurs when ESLint encounters a syntax that it doesn’t recognize. To fix it, you need to specify the correct parser and parser options in your ESLint configuration file (usually .eslintrc or .eslintrc.json).

Here’s an example configuration that uses the popular Babel parser:

{
  "parser": "babel-eslint",
  "parserOptions": {
    "ecmaVersion": 2020,
    "sourceType": "module",
    "ecmaFeatures": {
      "jsx": true
    }
  },
  "rules": {
    // Your ESLint rules here
  }
}

Make sure to replace the parser value with the appropriate parser for your project. Once you’ve updated the configuration, restart ESLint and the parsing error should be resolved.

Solution 2: Install Missing Dependencies

If you’re using a specific syntax or feature that ESLint doesn’t recognize, you might need to install additional dependencies. For example, if you’re using JSX syntax in a React project, you need to install the eslint-plugin-react plugin.

To install missing dependencies, use the following command:

npm install eslint-plugin-react --save-dev

After installing the necessary dependencies, restart ESLint and the parsing error should be fixed.

Solution 3: Check File Extensions

ESLint relies on file extensions to determine the parser and parser options to use. If you’re encountering the “Unexpected token” error, double-check that your file has the correct extension.

For example, if you’re working with JSX syntax, make sure your file has a .jsx extension. If you’re using TypeScript, use the .ts or .tsx extension. Using the wrong file extension can lead to parsing errors.

If you’re unable to change the file extension, you can specify the parser and parser options directly in your ESLint configuration, as shown in Solution 1.

With these solutions, you should be able to resolve the ESLint parsing error “Unexpected token” in your JavaScript project. Remember to always keep your ESLint configuration up to date and install any necessary dependencies for the syntax you’re using.