[Feature Request] Node.js 20+ support for Web Crypto API compatibility

[ravikant-pal]

Summary

Request for information about Node.js 20+ support roadmap, or guidance on alternative approaches for packages requiring native Web Crypto API.

Context

I understand this project may be in maintenance mode, and I appreciate all the work that's gone into it! I'm hoping to either:

1. Learn if Node 20+ support is planned, or
2. Get guidance on recommended architectural patterns for this limitation

Real-World Use Case

Building a React Native app with WhatsApp integration (Baileys library). After consulting with Baileys maintainers, their bot confirmed:

"Node.js v22.21.1 or higher is strongly recommended... If nodejs-mobile is strictly capped at Node 18, you may continue to face significant hurdles with the Noise protocol handshake as it relies heavily on native node:crypto behaviors that polyfills struggle to replicate perfectly."

Tested polyfills:

• ❌ crypto-browserify - missing crypto.subtle
• ❌ webcrypto-shim - incomplete
• ⚠️ @peculiar/webcrypto - loads but fails during GCM operations

Question

Is there a plan to support Node 20+, or should developers architect around this limitation?

If there's no roadmap for Node 20+, that's totally understandable! Knowing this helps developers make informed decisions:

• Option A: Run modern packages on separate servers
• Option B: Wait for community updates
• Option C: Contribute to adding Node 20 support

Impact

This affects any package requiring:

• Native Web Crypto API (crypto.subtle)
• Modern crypto.Decipheriv behaviors
• Node 20+ specific features
• "engines": { "node": ">=20" } in package.json

Examples: Baileys (WhatsApp), modern encryption libraries, blockchain packages

Environment

• React Native: 0.76.5
• nodejs-mobile-react-native: 18.20.4
• Android ARM64

Current workaround: Planning to run Baileys on separate Node 22+ server with WebSocket communication.

Thank you for maintaining this project! Any guidance on the path forward would be greatly appreciated. 🙏

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Note: If there's interest but lack of time/resources, I'm open to exploring contribution options.