otel-js git:20260518.4bde89fA

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---
name: otel-js
description: OpenTelemetry in Node.js / JavaScript / TypeScript — NodeSDK, declarative YAML configuration, auto-instrumentations, ESM vs CJS import patterns. Use when adding, reviewing, or configuring OpenTelemetry in a Node.js service. Triggers on "setup otel in node", "js telemetry", "node tracing setup", "NodeSDK", "auto instrumentation node", "TracerProvider node", or any Node.js-related OTel question.
---

# OpenTelemetry in Node.js

Entry point for OpenTelemetry mechanics in Node.js / JavaScript / TypeScript services.
Load a reference below based on the task; each reference is self-contained.

## References

| File | Use when |
|---|---|
| [`references/declarative-setup.md`](references/declarative-setup.md) | Configuring the SDK via declarative YAML: `OTEL_CONFIG_FILE`, `@opentelemetry/configuration`, `@opentelemetry/sdk-node`, ESM/CJS import order, v2.0 migration. |

## Sources of Truth

For YAML schema details, fetch the upstream sources listed in the `otel-declarative-config` skill.
For Node.js-specific facts:

| Fact | Fetch |
|---|---|
| Latest `@opentelemetry/configuration` | `npm view @opentelemetry/configuration version` |
| Latest `@opentelemetry/sdk-node` | `npm view @opentelemetry/sdk-node version` |
| Latest `@opentelemetry/auto-instrumentations-node` | `npm view @opentelemetry/auto-instrumentations-node version` |
| Package status / breaking changes | `WebFetch https://www.npmjs.com/package/@opentelemetry/configuration` |
| `sdk-node` CHANGELOG | `WebFetch https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-js/main/experimental/packages/opentelemetry-sdk-node/CHANGELOG.md` |
| Node.js getting-started docs | `WebFetch https://opentelemetry.io/docs/languages/js/getting-started/nodejs/` |

## Cross-References

- Schema-level facts: `otel-declarative-config` skill (language-agnostic YAML schema sources).
- SDK version selection across languages: `otel-sdk-versions` skill.
- Semantic conventions lookup: `otel-semantic-conventions` skill.