The gatsby-plugin-force-trailing-slashes is designed to help create a unified experience on Gatsby sites that require trailing slashes in URLs. It enables the correct treatment of URLs by ensuring that paths without trailing slashes are redirected to their counterparts with them. However, it’s important to note that this plugin is being deprecated, and users are encouraged to transition to Gatsby’s new trailingSlash option for future-proofing their projects.
This tool is crucial for developers who want their site to adhere to a specific URL structure. It requires a few configurations, including server settings and adjustments in code, to work effectively. As developers transition away from this plugin, understanding the underlying mechanics will aid in ensuring that the move to the new option remains seamless.
Unified URL Structure: Automatically helps to create a coherent URL structure by enforcing trailing slashes across the site.
Server Compatibility: Works with web servers configured to treat trailing slash paths as directories, ensuring consistency in serving pages.
Build Time Preparation: Prepares the embedded @reach/router for using trailing slash paths during the build process, enhancing site performance.
Flexible Configuration: Allows developers to exclude specific paths from being changed, maintaining control over URL formatting.
Integration with Gatsby’s Link: Ensures all instances of Gatsby’s <Link> component are set up to navigate correctly using trailing slashes, improving user experience.
Troubleshooting Support: Offers guidance for common integration issues, particularly with the use of the gatsby-plugin-offline for enhanced performance.
Compatibility Note: Requires Gatsby v2, making it a tool for projects still within this version, until the transition to newer options is complete.
