`AOT=1 meteor` broken for Angular versions ≥ 13

[domq]

Steps to reproduce:

1. git clone git@github.com:domq/angular-meteor-base.git
2. cd angular-meteor-base; meteor npm i
3. env AOT=1 meteor → behavior OK, see below
4. git checkout upgrade/angular-12 && env AOT=1 meteor → behavior OK
5. git checkout upgrade/angular-13 && env AOT=1 meteor → failure, see below

where

• “behavior OK” means that when AOT=1, the server starts up without complaining, and the browser's developer tools show that no HTML downloads occur.
• “failure” means

  @angular/compiler and @angular/compiler-cli must be installed for AOT compilation!
  AOT compilation disabled!
  Ignore this if you are using AngularJS 1.X
  

[domq]

By applying #1987, it becomes clear that the issue is that Meteor is unable to load the @angular/compiler module:

Error: Cannot find module '/Users/quatrava/Dev/angular-meteor-base/node_modules/@angular/compiler'

Require stack:
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/isobuild/bundler.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/isobuild/compiler.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/package-client.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/catalog/catalog-remote.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/catalog/catalog.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/tropohouse.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/meteor-services/config.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/meteor-services/auth.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/utils/http-helpers.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/warehouse.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/cli/main.js
- /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/index.js
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:931:15)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:774:27)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:1003:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:107:18)
    at Object.require (/tools/isobuild/bundler.js:2196:22)
    at makeInstallerOptions.fallback (packages/modules-runtime.js:712:18)
    at Module.require (packages/modules-runtime.js:244:14)
    at require (packages/modules-runtime.js:258:21)
    at module (packages/Angular Compilers/plugin/register.js:26:16)
    at fileEvaluate (packages/modules-runtime.js:336:7)
    at Module.require (packages/modules-runtime.js:238:14)
    at require (packages/modules-runtime.js:258:21)
    at :84:1
    at :89:3
    at __bottom_mark__ (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/utils/tools/utils/parse-stack.ts:92:14)
    at /Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/fs/tools/fs/files.ts:1160:7
    at Function.time (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/tool-env/tools/tool-env/profile.ts:284:30)
    at Object.runJavaScript (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/fs/tools/fs/files.ts:1037:18)
    at /tools/isobuild/bundler.js:2254:15
    at Function.each (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/dev_bundle/lib/node_modules/underscore/underscore-node-f-pre.js:1316:7)
    at JsImage.load (/tools/isobuild/bundler.js:2114:7)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack.js:476:16
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack.js:466:20
    at Function.each (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/dev_bundle/lib/node_modules/underscore/underscore-node-f-pre.js:1321:7)
    at Isopack.ensurePluginsInitialized (/tools/isobuild/isopack.js:454:7)
    at /tools/isobuild/compiler.js:381:16
    at Array.forEach ()
    at /tools/isobuild/compiler.js:380:26
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at /tools/isobuild/compiler.js:376:16
    at /tools/isobuild/compiler.js:186:28
    at Slot.withValue (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/dev_bundle/lib/node_modules/@wry/context/lib/context.esm.js:69:29)
    at Object.withCache (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/fs/tools/fs/files.ts:1543:39)
    at /tools/isobuild/compiler.js:185:11
    at Function.each (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/dev_bundle/lib/node_modules/underscore/underscore-node-f-pre.js:1316:7)
    at Object.compile (/tools/isobuild/compiler.js:180:5)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:353:30
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at IsopackCache._loadLocalPackage (/tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:308:18)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:242:16
    at Function.time (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/tool-env/tools/tool-env/profile.ts:284:30)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:241:17
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at IsopackCache._ensurePackageLoaded (/tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:232:20)
    at /tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:74:14
    at /tools/packaging/package-map.js:57:7
    at Function.each (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/dev_bundle/lib/node_modules/underscore/underscore-node-f-pre.js:1321:7)
    at exports.PackageMap.eachPackage (/tools/packaging/package-map.js:49:7)
    at IsopackCache.buildLocalPackages (/tools/isobuild/isopack-cache.js:73:24)
    at /tools/project-context.js:961:25
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at ProjectContext._buildLocalPackages (/tools/project-context.js:960:18)
    at /tools/project-context.js:365:35
    at Object.enterJob (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:388:12)
    at ProjectContext._completeStagesThrough (/tools/project-context.js:355:18)
    at /tools/project-context.js:347:12
    at Function.run (/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/tool-env/tools/tool-env/profile.ts:289:14)
    at ProjectContext.prepareProjectForBuild (/tools/project-context.js:346:13)
    at /tools/cli/commands-packages.js:2290:20
    at Object.capture (/tools/utils/buildmessage.js:283:5)
    at Command.func (/tools/cli/commands-packages.js:2289:27)
    at /tools/cli/main.js:1534:15 {
  code: 'MODULE_NOT_FOUND',
  requireStack: [
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/isobuild/bundler.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/isobuild/compiler.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/package-client.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/catalog/catalog-remote.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/catalog/catalog.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/tropohouse.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/meteor-services/config.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/meteor-services/auth.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/utils/http-helpers.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/packaging/warehouse.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/cli/main.js',
    '/Users/quatrava/.meteor/packages/meteor-tool/.2.11.0.1px97s8.nn7t++os.osx.x86_64+web.browser+web.browser.legacy+web.cordova/mt-os.osx.x86_64/tools/index.js'
  ]
}
@angular/compiler and @angular/compiler-cli must be installed for AOT compilation!
AOT compilation disabled!
Ignore this if you are using AngularJS 1.X

[domq]

The error is caused by some kind of ES Module mishap in version 13:

$ rm node_modules; ln -s node_modules-v13 node_modules
$ meteor node -e 'require("@angular/compiler")'
internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:977
    throw new ERR_REQUIRE_ESM(filename);
    ^

Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: Must use import to load ES Module: /Users/quatrava/Dev/angular-meteor-base/node_modules-v13/@angular/compiler/fesm2015/compiler.mjs
    at new NodeError (internal/errors.js:322:7)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:977:11)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:819:12)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:1003:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:107:18)
    at [eval]:1:1
    at Script.runInThisContext (vm.js:134:12)
    at Object.runInThisContext (vm.js:310:38)
    at internal/process/execution.js:81:19
    at [eval]-wrapper:6:22 {
  code: 'ERR_REQUIRE_ESM'
}
$ rm node_modules; ln -s node_modules-v12 node_modules
$ meteor node -e 'require("@angular/compiler")'
$ rm node_modules; ln -s node_modules-v13 node_modules
$ meteor node -e 'require("@angular/compiler")'
internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:977
    throw new ERR_REQUIRE_ESM(filename);
    ^

Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: Must use import to load ES Module: /Users/quatrava/Dev/angular-meteor-base/node_modules-v13/@angular/compiler/fesm2015/compiler.mjs
    at new NodeError (internal/errors.js:322:7)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:977:11)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:819:12)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:1003:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:107:18)
    at [eval]:1:1
    at Script.runInThisContext (vm.js:134:12)
    at Object.runInThisContext (vm.js:310:38)
    at internal/process/execution.js:81:19
    at [eval]-wrapper:6:22 {
  code: 'ERR_REQUIRE_ESM'
}
$ rm node_modules; ln -s node_modules-v12 node_modules
$ meteor node -e 'require("@angular/compiler")'
$

[domq]

I pinned this down to the fact that Angular v13's @angular/compiler started putting an exports field in its (generated) package.json, which Meteor doesn't support.

I'm having trouble digging down any further, precisely because the package.json in @angular/compiler releases appears to be generated by a combination of things called “Bazel“, “bazelisk”, “Ivy” and more.