I couldn't find anything in https://github.com/openedx/sample-plugin/tree/main/frontend or https://github.com/openedx/sample-plugin/tree/main/tutor that mentions this step. This part is documented in the Tutor MFE README.
From https://github.com/overhangio/tutor-mfe?tab=readme-ov-file#using-frontend-plugin-slots:
hooks.Filters.ENV_PATCHES.add_item(
(
"mfe-dockerfile-post-npm-install",
"""
# npm package
RUN npm install react-loader-spinner
""",
)
)
hooks.Filters.ENV_PATCHES.add_item(
(
"mfe-env-config-buildtime-imports",
"""
import { FidgetSpinner } from 'react-loader-spinner';
""",
)
)