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I made a javascript file mytool.js, it has some dependencies (in package.json).

Now I can execute typing in 

~/mynodes/mytool $ node mytool

But if I change the working directory I can't use this command anymore because previously it was run locally. What I want to achieve is to be able to just type :

~$ mytool

(wherever I am in my system's filesystem and without typing node before).

Should I install it manually ?

If yes, where is the common location to install a personal nodejs script in a unix-like system ?

Or is there a npm-like command to install a personal script system wide ?

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3 Answers 3

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2

When you add a "bin" key in your package.json:

  "bin": {
    "mytool": "mytool.js"
  },

then you will be able to install your script with npm install -g and it will be automatically added where it should be (to a place where other globally installed cli tools are installed, which should be in your PATH).

You can see this simple project as an example:

It was created as an example for this answer but it does what you need:

  1. it has a single script to run
  2. it has external dependencies
  3. it can be installed globally
  4. it can be run from any place with a single command

Note that you don't need to publish your script to npm to be able to install it - though you can do it, or you can also install projects directly from GitHub (including private repos) - but you can also install a module that you have in your local directory or a tarball:

npm install -g module-on-npm
npm install -g user/repo-on-github
npm install -g /your/local/directory
npm install -g /your/local/tarball.tgz

For more options, see:

Also keep in mind that for your program to be able to be executed from anywhere, you need to use paths relative to __dirname or __filename if you need to access your own files relative to your code. See:

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Comments

1
  1. Put a shebang line at the top of the script (e.g. #!/usr/bin/env node).
  2. Put the script in a directory in your $PATH
  3. Give it executable permission (e.g. chmod +x /usr/local/bin/example.js)
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1 Comment

I like the idea so I upvoted but the problem is I have to manually install the dependencies the same way which is not really convenient.
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First option:

You can run your file globally by putting on the first line of the file : #!/usr/bin/env node, copying it to /usr/local/bin and make it executable: sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/yourfile.js and then you can call it from where you want with yourfile.js

Second option:

Make your local file executable and create an executable bash script which calls your local file and put it in /usr/local/bin and then call the bashfile globally.

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5 Comments

This will work but I would recommend putting your own files to /usr/local/bin if you need to instead of /usr/bin which is usually managed by the package manager of the OS.
@rsp I think /usr/bin is fine, I tried what you suggested and npm install -g will install the package in that directory.
If you have dependencies in the local folder you should definetely try my second method and creating a bash script in /usr/bin or usr/local/bin and from there call your file by its absolute path.
@AlexLucaci I like your second option too, but I will use rsp's solution. I don't know why but it is more trustful to use the npm install command.
@ballangddang whatever suits your need :D

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