Use @automattic/wordpress-external-dependencies-plugin

[DanReyLop]

After adding the merchant dashboard page in #5, add a minimal React-based application in there. It doesn't need to have anything to do with the final product, but this task will encompass:

• Adding a Webpack config.
• Adding a package.json with at least some @wordpress/* and @woocommerce/* dependencies.
• Adding a way for the PHP side of the plugin to render the React-based app.
• Adding production and development modes like in WCS.

[dechov]

I think Automattic/wp-calypso#31513 could be relevant? Should keep an eye on it.

[sirreal]

👋 I'd be happy to chat about Automattic/wp-calypso#31513

I'd love to see it tested in some different situations.

[dechov]

Gutenberg 5.3 includes webpack and babel configs that we may want to use (or else align with) [announcement, handbook, incl. extending webpack config].

[sirreal]

The Webpack plugin is live and in use in Jetpack. It currently handles the basic @worpress/*, react, and a few other dependencies.

We'll be looking at extending the API in a way that you could use to extern @woocommerce/* deps as well: Automattic/wp-calypso#32097

Core is looking at adopting the plugin as well: WordPress/gutenberg#14837

[DanReyLop]

I don't know what happened to this issue's title, but this issue was meant to be Add a minimal React-based merchant dashboard using wc-admin components, which has already been covered by #43.

Edit: Also, per #52, we are going to use the @wordpress webpack plugin instead of the @automattic one.