Introduction

Encountering the error failed to solve: process "/bin/sh -c npm run ${build_cmd}" did not complete successfully: exit code: 1 can be frustrating, especially when you're in the middle of deploying or building a project. This error message indicates that an npm command in your build process has failed, but it doesn’t provide much detail about the root cause. In this post, we'll walk through the common reasons behind this error and offer troubleshooting steps to help you resolve it.

Understanding the Error

The error message is generated when a command specified in your Dockerfile or build script fails during the execution phase. Specifically, it points to the npm run command, suggesting that something went wrong with your build script.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Incorrect Build Command

Cause: The ${build_cmd} placeholder in your Dockerfile or build script might be incorrect or undefined, leading to the failure of the npm run command.

Solution: Check your Dockerfile or build script to ensure that ${build_cmd} is correctly defined. Verify that the build command matches one of the scripts listed in your package.json.

{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "webpack --config webpack.prod.js",
    "start": "node server.js"
  }
}

2. Missing Dependencies

Cause: If your build command depends on certain npm packages, and these packages are not installed or are missing, it can result in a failure.

Solution: Ensure all dependencies are correctly listed in your package.json and are installed. Run npm install to install missing packages.

npm install

3. Build Script Errors

Cause: There might be issues or errors in the build script itself that cause it to fail.

Solution: Examine the build script specified in your package.json for any errors or misconfigurations. Test running the build command locally to identify any issues.

npm run build

4. Configuration Issues

Cause: Configuration files such as webpack.config.js, .env, or other build-related files might have errors or missing configurations.

Solution: Review your configuration files for accuracy. Ensure that all required environment variables and settings are correctly specified.

5. Dockerfile or Environment Issues

Cause: There might be issues with your Dockerfile or the environment in which the build is running.

Solution: Ensure your Dockerfile is correctly set up and that the environment variables are properly configured. Verify that the Dockerfile commands are correctly specified and the environment matches your local development setup.

# Example Dockerfile snippet
COPY package.json package-lock.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
RUN npm run build

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

• Check Logs: Review the build logs for more detailed error messages that can provide clues about what went wrong.
• Rebuild: Sometimes, cleaning up and rebuilding can resolve temporary issues. Try removing existing build artifacts and starting fresh.

npm cache clean --force

• Consult Documentation: Review the documentation for npm, Docker, or any tools involved to ensure you’re following best practices and correct usage.

Conclusion

The failed to solve: process "/bin/sh -c npm run ${build_cmd}" did not complete successfully: exit code: 1 error can be caused by a variety of issues related to build commands, dependencies, configurations, or environment settings. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue effectively. If you continue to experience difficulties, consider seeking help from community forums or consulting the documentation for more detailed guidance.