diff --git a/lib/Server.js b/lib/Server.js
index 41cbe3f654..35eb986eb5 100644
--- a/lib/Server.js
+++ b/lib/Server.js
@@ -311,6 +311,8 @@ const DEFAULT_ALLOWED_PROTOCOLS = /^(file|.+-extension):/i;
  * @property {typeof useFn} use
  */
 
+const pluginName = "webpack-dev-server";
+
 /**
  * @template {BasicApplication} [A=ExpressApplication]
  * @template {BasicServer} [S=HTTPServer]
@@ -326,11 +328,14 @@ class Server {
       baseDataPath: "options",
     });
 
-    this.compiler = compiler;
-    /**
-     * @type {ReturnType<Compiler["getInfrastructureLogger"]>}
-     */
-    this.logger = this.compiler.getInfrastructureLogger("webpack-dev-server");
+    if (compiler) {
+      this.compiler = compiler;
+
+      /**
+       * @type {ReturnType<Compiler["getInfrastructureLogger"]>}
+       */
+      this.logger = this.compiler.getInfrastructureLogger(pluginName);
+    }
     this.options = options;
     /**
      * @type {FSWatcher[]}
@@ -1587,6 +1592,9 @@ class Server {
    * @returns {void}
    */
   setupProgressPlugin() {
+    // In the case where there is no compiler and it’s not being used as a plugin.
+    if (this.compiler === undefined) return;
+
     const { ProgressPlugin } =
       /** @type {MultiCompiler} */
       (this.compiler).compilers
@@ -1631,6 +1639,7 @@ class Server {
    * @returns {Promise<void>}
    */
   async initialize() {
+    if (this.compiler === undefined) return;
     this.setupHooks();
 
     await this.setupApp();
@@ -1706,7 +1715,7 @@ class Server {
           needForceShutdown = true;
 
           this.stopCallback(() => {
-            if (typeof this.compiler.close === "function") {
+            if (typeof this.compiler?.close === "function") {
               this.compiler.close(() => {
                 // eslint-disable-next-line n/no-process-exit
                 process.exit();
@@ -1781,11 +1790,14 @@ class Server {
    * @returns {void}
    */
   setupHooks() {
+    if (this.compiler === undefined) return;
+
     this.compiler.hooks.invalid.tap("webpack-dev-server", () => {
       if (this.webSocketServer) {
         this.sendMessage(this.webSocketServer.clients, "invalid");
       }
     });
+
     this.compiler.hooks.done.tap(
       "webpack-dev-server",
       /**
@@ -1840,6 +1852,7 @@ class Server {
    * @returns {void}
    */
   setupMiddlewares() {
+    if (this.compiler === undefined) return;
     /**
      * @type {Array<Middleware>}
      */
@@ -2330,7 +2343,8 @@ class Server {
 
         // middleware for serving webpack bundle
         /** @type {import("webpack-dev-middleware").API<Request, Response>} */
-        this.middleware = webpackDevMiddleware(
+        this.middleware = webpackDevMiddleware.plugin(
+          // @ts-expect-error
           this.compiler,
           this.options.devMiddleware,
         );
@@ -3399,6 +3413,23 @@ class Server {
       .then(() => callback(), callback)
       .catch(callback);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * @param {Compiler} compiler compiler
+   * @returns {void}
+   */
+  apply(compiler) {
+    this.compiler = compiler;
+    this.logger = this.compiler.getInfrastructureLogger(pluginName);
+
+    this.compiler.hooks.watchRun.tapPromise(pluginName, async () => {
+      await this.start();
+    });
+
+    this.compiler.hooks.watchClose.tap(pluginName, async () => {
+      await this.stop();
+    });
+  }
 }
 
 module.exports = Server;
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 53d6db2a54..e9fe7c0fc3 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         "schema-utils": "^4.2.0",
         "selfsigned": "^5.5.0",
         "serve-index": "^1.9.1",
-        "webpack-dev-middleware": "^7.4.5",
+        "webpack-dev-middleware": "webpack/webpack-dev-middleware#plugin_support",
         "ws": "^8.18.0"
       },
       "bin": {
@@ -4255,6 +4255,285 @@
         "tslib": "2"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-core": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-core/-/fs-core-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-wThHjzUp01ImIjfCwhs+UnFkeGPFAymwLEkOtenHewaKe2pTP12p6r1UuwikA9NEvNf9Vlck92r8fb8n/MWM5w==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "thingies": "^2.5.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-fsa": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-fsa/-/fs-fsa-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ZYlF3XbMayyp97xEN8ZvYutU99PCHjM64mMZvnCseXkCJXJDVLAwlF8Q/7q/xiWQRsv3pQBj1WXHd9eEyYcaCQ==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-core": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "thingies": "^2.5.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node/-/fs-node-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-D65YrnP6wRuZyEWoSFnBJSr5zARVpVBGctnhie4rCsMuGXNzX7IHKaOt85/Aj7SSoG1N2+/xlNjWmkLvZ2H3Tg==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-core": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-print": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot": "4.56.11",
+        "glob-to-regex.js": "^1.0.0",
+        "thingies": "^2.5.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins/-/fs-node-builtins-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-CNmt3a0zMCIhniFLXtzPWuUxXFU+U+2VyQiIrgt/rRVeEJNrMQUABaRbVxR0Ouw1LyR9RjaEkPM6nYpED+y43A==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-to-fsa": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-to-fsa/-/fs-node-to-fsa-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-5OzGdvJDgZVo+xXWEYo72u81zpOWlxlbG4d4nL+hSiW+LKlua/dldNgPrpWxtvhgyntmdFQad2UTxFyGjJAGhA==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-fsa": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils/-/fs-node-utils-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-JADOZFDA3wRfsuxkT0+MYc4F9hJO2PYDaY66kRTG6NqGX3+bqmKu66YFYAbII/tEmQWPZeHoClUB23rtQM9UPg==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-print": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-print/-/fs-print-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-rnaKRgCRIn8JGTjxhS0JPE38YM3Pj/H7SW4/tglhIPbfKEkky7dpPayNKV2qy25SZSL15oFVgH/62dMZ/z7cyA==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "tree-dump": "^1.1.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot": {
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/-/fs-snapshot-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-IIldPX+cIRQuUol9fQzSS3hqyECxVpYMJQMqdU3dCKZFRzEl1rkIkw4P6y7Oh493sI7YdxZlKr/yWdzEWZ1wGQ==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/buffers": "^17.65.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/json-pack": "^17.65.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/util": "^17.65.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/base64": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/base64/-/base64-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-5SEsJGsm15aP8TQGkDfJvz9axgPwAEm98S5DxOuYe8e1EbfajcDmgeXXzccEjh+mLnjqEKrkBdjHWS5vFNwDdw==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/buffers": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/buffers/-/buffers-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-tfExRpYxBvi32vPs9ZHaTjSP4fHAfzSmcahOfNxtvGHcyJel+aibkPlGeBB+7AoC6hL7lXIE++8okecBxx7lcw==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/codegen": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/codegen/-/codegen-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-idnkUplROpdBOV0HMcwhsCUS5TRUi9poagdGs70A6S4ux9+/aPuKbh8+UYRTLYQHtXvAdNfQWXDqZEx5k4Dj2Q==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/json-pack": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/json-pack/-/json-pack-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-t0ejURcGaZsn1ClbJ/3kFqSOjlryd92eQY465IYrezsXmPcfHPE/av4twRSxf6WE+TkZgLY+71vCZbiIiFKA/w==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/base64": "17.67.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/buffers": "17.67.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/codegen": "17.67.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/json-pointer": "17.67.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/util": "17.67.0",
+        "hyperdyperid": "^1.2.0",
+        "thingies": "^2.5.0",
+        "tree-dump": "^1.1.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/json-pointer": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/json-pointer/-/json-pointer-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-+iqOFInH+QZGmSuaybBUNdh7yvNrXvqR+h3wjXm0N/3JK1EyyFAeGJvqnmQL61d1ARLlk/wJdFKSL+LHJ1eaUA==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/util": "17.67.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot/node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/util": {
+      "version": "17.67.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/util/-/util-17.67.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-6+8xBaz1rLSohlGh68D1pdw3AwDi9xydm8QNlAFkvnavCJYSze+pxoW2VKP8p308jtlMRLs5NTHfPlZLd4w7ew==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/buffers": "17.67.0",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/codegen": "17.67.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "github",
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@jsonjoy.com/json-pack": {
       "version": "1.11.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@jsonjoy.com/json-pack/-/json-pack-1.11.0.tgz",
@@ -7555,6 +7834,7 @@
       "version": "2.0.20",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/colorette/-/colorette-2.0.20.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-IfEDxwoWIjkeXL1eXcDiow4UbKjhLdq6/EuSVR9GMN7KVH3r9gQ83e73hsz1Nd1T3ijd5xv1wcWRYO+D6kCI2w==",
+      "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/combined-stream": {
@@ -10222,14 +10502,14 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/enhanced-resolve": {
-      "version": "5.18.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/enhanced-resolve/-/enhanced-resolve-5.18.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-d4lC8xfavMeBjzGr2vECC3fsGXziXZQyJxD868h2M/mBI3PwAuODxAkLkq5HYuvrPYcUtiLzsTo8U3PgX3Ocww==",
+      "version": "5.20.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/enhanced-resolve/-/enhanced-resolve-5.20.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-/ce7+jQ1PQ6rVXwe+jKEg5hW5ciicHwIQUagZkp6IufBoY3YDgdTTY1azVs0qoRgVmvsNB+rbjLJxDAeHHtwsQ==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "graceful-fs": "^4.2.4",
-        "tapable": "^2.2.0"
+        "tapable": "^2.3.0"
       },
       "engines": {
         "node": ">=10.13.0"
@@ -17367,11 +17647,19 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/memfs": {
-      "version": "4.51.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/memfs/-/memfs-4.51.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-4zngfkVM/GpIhC8YazOsM6E8hoB33NP0BCESPOA6z7qaL6umPJNqkO8CNYaLV2FB2MV6H1O3x2luHHOSqppv+A==",
+      "version": "4.56.11",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/memfs/-/memfs-4.56.11.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-/GodtwVeKVIHZKLUSr2ZdOxKBC5hHki4JNCU22DoCGPEHr5o2PD5U721zvESKyWwCfTfavFl9WZYgA13OAYK0g==",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-core": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-fsa": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-builtins": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-to-fsa": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-node-utils": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-print": "4.56.11",
+        "@jsonjoy.com/fs-snapshot": "4.56.11",
         "@jsonjoy.com/json-pack": "^1.11.0",
         "@jsonjoy.com/util": "^1.9.0",
         "glob-to-regex.js": "^1.0.1",
@@ -17382,6 +17670,9 @@
       "funding": {
         "type": "github",
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/streamich"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "tslib": "2"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/memorystream": {
@@ -23068,9 +23359,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/watchpack": {
-      "version": "2.4.4",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/watchpack/-/watchpack-2.4.4.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-c5EGNOiyxxV5qmTtAB7rbiXxi1ooX1pQKMLX/MIabJjRA0SJBQOjKF+KSVfHkr9U1cADPon0mRiVe/riyaiDUA==",
+      "version": "2.5.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/watchpack/-/watchpack-2.5.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Zn5uXdcFNIA1+1Ei5McRd+iRzfhENPCe7LeABkJtNulSxjma+l7ltNx55BWZkRlwRnpOgHqxnjyaDgJnNXnqzg==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
@@ -23099,9 +23390,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/webpack": {
-      "version": "5.104.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/webpack/-/webpack-5.104.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-Qphch25abbMNtekmEGJmeRUhLDbe+QfiWTiqpKYkpCOWY64v9eyl+KRRLmqOFA2AvKPpc9DC6+u2n76tQLBoaA==",
+      "version": "5.105.0",
+      "resolved": "https://pkg.pr.new/webpack@6919e87",
+      "integrity": "sha512-S3f67oWDtM2pFz/nJ6K+dty83d8tv5vo+o9RqpO4EoA1dG/JfgWnzWLRQr3aS5Q8BEGK2rhvHeElLRe0PCNbYQ==",
       "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "peer": true,
@@ -23116,7 +23407,7 @@
         "acorn-import-phases": "^1.0.3",
         "browserslist": "^4.28.1",
         "chrome-trace-event": "^1.0.2",
-        "enhanced-resolve": "^5.17.4",
+        "enhanced-resolve": "^5.19.0",
         "es-module-lexer": "^2.0.0",
         "eslint-scope": "5.1.1",
         "events": "^3.2.0",
@@ -23129,7 +23420,7 @@
         "schema-utils": "^4.3.3",
         "tapable": "^2.3.0",
         "terser-webpack-plugin": "^5.3.16",
-        "watchpack": "^2.4.4",
+        "watchpack": "^2.5.1",
         "webpack-sources": "^3.3.3"
       },
       "bin": {
@@ -23204,26 +23495,24 @@
     },
     "node_modules/webpack-dev-middleware": {
       "version": "7.4.5",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/webpack-dev-middleware/-/webpack-dev-middleware-7.4.5.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-uxQ6YqGdE4hgDKNf7hUiPXOdtkXvBJXrfEGYSx7P7LC8hnUYGK70X6xQXUvXeNyBDDcsiQXpG2m3G9vxowaEuA==",
+      "resolved": "git+ssh://git@github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware.git#f149b0a69a626e14eb5c5ce4a695d82be40f258b",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
-        "colorette": "^2.0.10",
-        "memfs": "^4.43.1",
-        "mime-types": "^3.0.1",
+        "memfs": "^4.56.10",
+        "mime-types": "^3.0.2",
         "on-finished": "^2.4.1",
         "range-parser": "^1.2.1",
-        "schema-utils": "^4.0.0"
+        "schema-utils": "^4.3.3"
       },
       "engines": {
-        "node": ">= 18.12.0"
+        "node": ">= 20.9.0"
       },
       "funding": {
         "type": "opencollective",
         "url": "https://opencollective.com/webpack"
       },
       "peerDependencies": {
-        "webpack": "^5.0.0"
+        "webpack": "^5.101.0"
       },
       "peerDependenciesMeta": {
         "webpack": {
@@ -23232,15 +23521,19 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/webpack-dev-middleware/node_modules/mime-types": {
-      "version": "3.0.1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mime-types/-/mime-types-3.0.1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-xRc4oEhT6eaBpU1XF7AjpOFD+xQmXNB5OVKwp4tqCuBpHLS/ZbBDrc07mYTDqVMg6PfxUjjNp85O6Cd2Z/5HWA==",
+      "version": "3.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mime-types/-/mime-types-3.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Lbgzdk0h4juoQ9fCKXW4by0UJqj+nOOrI9MJ1sSj4nI8aI2eo1qmvQEie4VD1glsS250n15LsWsYtCugiStS5A==",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "mime-db": "^1.54.0"
       },
       "engines": {
-        "node": ">= 0.6"
+        "node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "opencollective",
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/express"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/webpack-merge": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 265269b6c7..8ddadd31e1 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
     "schema-utils": "^4.2.0",
     "selfsigned": "^5.5.0",
     "serve-index": "^1.9.1",
-    "webpack-dev-middleware": "^7.4.5",
+    "webpack-dev-middleware": "webpack/webpack-dev-middleware#plugin_support",
     "ws": "^8.18.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/test/e2e/__snapshots__/api.test.js.snap.webpack5 b/test/e2e/__snapshots__/api.test.js.snap.webpack5
index 14c74e33ea..7c143f91c9 100644
--- a/test/e2e/__snapshots__/api.test.js.snap.webpack5
+++ b/test/e2e/__snapshots__/api.test.js.snap.webpack5
@@ -165,3 +165,13 @@ exports[`API latest async API should work with callback API: console messages 1`
 `;
 
 exports[`API latest async API should work with callback API: page errors 1`] = `[]`;
+
+exports[`API should work with plugin API: console messages 1`] = `
+[
+  "[webpack-dev-server] Server started: Hot Module Replacement enabled, Live Reloading enabled, Progress disabled, Overlay enabled.",
+  "[HMR] Waiting for update signal from WDS...",
+  "Hey.",
+]
+`;
+
+exports[`API should work with plugin API: page errors 1`] = `[]`;
diff --git a/test/e2e/api.test.js b/test/e2e/api.test.js
index ee09842d04..aa9dcdd8a2 100644
--- a/test/e2e/api.test.js
+++ b/test/e2e/api.test.js
@@ -4,11 +4,47 @@ const path = require("node:path");
 const webpack = require("webpack");
 const Server = require("../../lib/Server");
 const config = require("../fixtures/client-config/webpack.config");
+const compile = require("../helpers/compile");
 const runBrowser = require("../helpers/run-browser");
 const sessionSubscribe = require("../helpers/session-subscribe");
 const port = require("../ports-map").api;
 
 describe("API", () => {
+  it("should work with plugin API", async () => {
+    const compiler = webpack(config);
+    const server = new Server({ port });
+
+    server.apply(compiler);
+
+    // Use compile helper which waits for the server to be ready
+    const { watching } = await compile(compiler, port);
+
+    const { page, browser } = await runBrowser();
+
+    const pageErrors = [];
+    const consoleMessages = [];
+
+    page
+      .on("console", (message) => {
+        consoleMessages.push(message);
+      })
+      .on("pageerror", (error) => {
+        pageErrors.push(error);
+      });
+
+    await page.goto(`http://127.0.0.1:${port}/`, {
+      waitUntil: "networkidle0",
+    });
+
+    expect(consoleMessages.map((message) => message.text())).toMatchSnapshot(
+      "console messages",
+    );
+    expect(pageErrors).toMatchSnapshot("page errors");
+
+    await browser.close();
+    watching.close();
+  });
+
   describe("WEBPACK_SERVE environment variable", () => {
     const OLD_ENV = process.env;
     let server;
diff --git a/test/helpers/compile.js b/test/helpers/compile.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..36f1c480c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/helpers/compile.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"use strict";
+
+// Helper function to check if server is ready using fetch
+const waitForServer = async (port, timeout = 10000) => {
+  const start = Date.now();
+
+  while (Date.now() - start < timeout) {
+    try {
+      // eslint-disable-next-line n/no-unsupported-features/node-builtins
+      await fetch(`http://127.0.0.1:${port}/`);
+      return; // Server is ready
+    } catch {
+      // Server not ready yet, wait and retry
+      await new Promise((resolve) => {
+        setTimeout(resolve, 100);
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  throw new Error(`Server on port ${port} not ready after ${timeout}ms`);
+};
+
+module.exports = (compiler, port = null) =>
+  new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    const watching = compiler.watch({}, async (error, stats) => {
+      if (error) {
+        watching.close();
+        return reject(error);
+      }
+
+      // If a port is provided, wait for the server to be ready
+      if (port) {
+        try {
+          await waitForServer(port);
+        } catch (err) {
+          watching.close();
+          return reject(err);
+        }
+      }
+
+      // Return both stats and watching for caller to manage
+      resolve({ stats, watching });
+    });
+  });
diff --git a/types/lib/Server.d.ts b/types/lib/Server.d.ts
index dd895e2e3c..649bb6b617 100644
--- a/types/lib/Server.d.ts
+++ b/types/lib/Server.d.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,4 @@
 export = Server;
-/**
- * @typedef {object} BasicApplication
- * @property {typeof useFn} use
- */
 /**
  * @template {BasicApplication} [A=ExpressApplication]
  * @template {BasicServer} [S=HTTPServer]
@@ -1167,7 +1163,10 @@ declare class Server<
    * @param {Compiler | MultiCompiler} compiler compiler
    */
   constructor(options: Configuration<A, S>, compiler: Compiler | MultiCompiler);
-  compiler: import("webpack").Compiler | import("webpack").MultiCompiler;
+  compiler:
+    | import("webpack").Compiler
+    | import("webpack").MultiCompiler
+    | undefined;
   /**
    * @type {ReturnType<Compiler["getInfrastructureLogger"]>}
    */
@@ -1409,6 +1408,11 @@ declare class Server<
    * @param {((err?: Error) => void)=} callback callback
    */
   stopCallback(callback?: ((err?: Error) => void) | undefined): void;
+  /**
+   * @param {Compiler} compiler compiler
+   * @returns {void}
+   */
+  apply(compiler: Compiler): void;
   #private;
 }
 declare namespace Server {