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Code & Deliverynoun · /ˈmɒnəʊ.reɪ.poʊ/

monorepo

In simple English

A monorepo is a software development strategy where multiple projects, services, or packages are stored in a single git repository rather than distributed across many separate repositories. This approach is used by large companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to simplify dependency management, enable easier code sharing, and maintain consistency across multiple interconnected projects. In practice, a monorepo typically contains a root directory with multiple subdirectories, each representing a separate project or package. Teams use special tools like Yarn workspaces, npm workspaces, or specialized monorepo managers like Nx or Turborepo to manage builds, testing, and dependencies across all projects within the monorepo. This can improve developer experience by allowing developers to make changes across multiple projects in a single commit and pull request. However, monorepos come with tradeoffs. They can become slower as they grow, require careful CI/CD setup, and demand standardized tooling across projects. The opposite approach is called a polyrepo (multiple repositories), which offers more independence but less coordination.

Understand what a monorepo is, how it differs from multiple repositories, and when to use it in software projects.

At a glanceCEFR C1
Commonness4/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓We are managing a monorepo with five different services.
✓The monorepo approach has simplified our CI/CD pipeline.
✓Setting up a monorepo requires careful tooling and discipline.

Real examples

in a standup

"The monorepo is slowing down our build times, so we should look into optimizing our CI configuration."

in a code review

"Since we are using a monorepo, your changes to the shared library will affect the frontend and backend packages."

in a team meeting

"Moving to a monorepo means we can release all services together instead of managing separate release cycles."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Monorepo is a noun referring to a repository structure, not a verb. Do not use it as an action (e.g., do not say to monorepo something). It describes a single repository containing multiple projects.

✕We need to monorepo our code before launch.
✓We need to migrate to a monorepo structure before launch.— Monorepo is a noun describing a repository structure, not a verb. You do not monorepo something; you move code into a monorepo or adopt a monorepo approach.
✕Let us create a monorepo for each team.
✓Let us create separate monorepos for each team or use one monorepo with team-specific directories.— The whole point of a monorepo is to have one unified repository. If you create separate ones per team, you are using a polyrepo approach instead.
✕The monorepo stores all our data.
✓The monorepo stores all our source code and related projects.— A monorepo is for version control of code and projects, not for storing application data or databases.

Other forms

noun

monorepo

"Our monorepo contains twelve different microservices and shared libraries."

noun

monorepo approach

"The monorepo approach has reduced the time it takes to coordinate releases across teams."

adjective

monorepo

"We need a monorepo structure to improve our build efficiency."

Often used with

migrate to a monorepoUsed when moving from multiple repositories to a single repository
manage a monorepoUsed to describe maintaining and organizing code within a monorepo
monorepo toolingRefers to specialized tools needed to handle builds and dependencies in a monorepo
monorepo strategyDescribes the overall approach and decisions about how to organize a monorepo
monorepo structureRefers to how the directories and projects are organized within the monorepo

Similar words

single repositoryMore literal description but less commonly used in industry
unified repositoryEmphasizes the centralized nature but does not specify it contains multiple projects

Opposites

polyrepomulti-repo

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your company is considering one repository for all projects. Which sounds most natural?

Complete the sentence

2. Our _______ contains three separate frontend applications and one backend service.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses monorepo incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite using monorepo naturally: The code for all our services is in one version control system now, and it has been good for coordination.

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "monorepo" in a standup this week?

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