react / react/react-native

react-native-babel-preset doesn't import _interopRequireWildcard as bebel helper

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Description

Description

Each time when code include the next import:

import * as React from 'react';

Babel will inject helper fn. _interopRequireWildcard

this is bad as it creates many duplicates, instead of importing it once, see: https://github.com/babel/babel/blob/main/packages/babel-helpers/src/helpers/interopRequireWildcard.ts

Steps to reproduce
  1. Add import import * as React from 'react';
  2. Build prod.
  3. check the final JS bundle
React Native Version

0.85.3

Affected Platforms

Runtime - Android, Runtime - iOS

Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info
System:
  OS: macOS 26.5
  CPU: (11) arm64 Apple M3 Pro
  Memory: 6.54 GB / 36.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: 4.0.1
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/fish
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 24.13.1
    path: /usr/local/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 3.6.4
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 11.8.0
    path: /usr/local/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.09.01.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /Users/i/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 25.2
      - iOS 26.2
      - macOS 26.2
      - tvOS 26.2
      - visionOS 26.2
      - watchOS 26.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2025.3 AI-253.32098.37.2534.15336583
  Xcode:
    version: 26.2/17C52
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.13
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /Users/i/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 20.1.0
    wanted: 20.1.0
  react:
    installed: 19.2.3
    wanted: 19.2.3
  react-native:
    installed: 0.85.3
    wanted: 0.85.3
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
Stacktrace or Logs
...
MANDATORY Reproducer

https://github.com/retyui/repo_with_virus_to_steal_corporate_data_so_you_get_fired_and_spend_the_rest_of_your_life_in_prison

Screenshots and Videos
Image

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start at the react-native-babel-preset entry point and compare its helper handling with the linked Babel interopRequireWildcard helper. Reproduce the issue with the provided namespace import and a production build, then inspect the final bundle. Done means the helper is imported once rather than duplicated.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
javascript, react-native
Domain
build-system, mobile
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
52/100

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