Enable code completion for node_modules in WebStorm

Question

I'm new to WebStorm, and fairly new to Node development. I am working on an existing project, and want to have code completion for my node_modules. More specifically, I'm using Chai and WebStorm doesn't seem to find the .have member of my expect.to statement.

This is my code, simplified:

var expect = require('chai').expect;

import {Customer} from '../../app/model/Customer.js';

describe('...', function() {
    it('...', function() {
        var customer = new Customer();
        expect(customer).to.have.property('name');
    });
});

I get squiggly lines under the have call, and WebStorm tells me Unresolved variable have.

If I F12 on the to, WebStorm takes me to another node module, shelljs, but I haven't imported that one.

Is this because WebStorm can't resolve everything in javascript?

I've enabled Coding Assistance for NodeJS as per the docs, but that made no difference.

Answer 1

Problem is caused by weird dynamic way these chai methods are defined. As a workaround I can suggest using chai.d.ts:

• Open "Settings | Languages & Frameworks | JavaScript | Libraries"

• Click "Download..." button and select "TypeScript community stubs"

• Find "chai" and click "Download and Install".

See http://blog.jetbrains.com/webstorm/2014/07/how-webstorm-works-completion-for-javascript-libraries/, 'Using TypeScript community stubs (TypeScript definition files)' for more information

Answer 2

WebStorm 2020.1

TypeScript definitions can also be added directly via package.json:

1. Open the project's package.json
2. Position the cursor on the package (within the dependencies section)
3. Press alt+enter (or click the light bulb)
4. Choose Install '@types/name' (where name is the dependency)

For example: