@babel/runtime provides precompiled modular helpers for Babel transforms. Instead of injecting inline helpers into every file, Babel can utilize these shared, reusable functions. This reduces code duplication, minimizes bundle size, and improves overall performance. It's a crucial dependency for many Babel-powered projects, streamlining the compilation process and fostering efficient JavaScript execution in diverse environments. Consider it a library of Babel's core functionalities, ready to be imported as needed.