GitHub Repo: https://github.com/webcrumbs-community/webcrumbs
Creating a command-line interface (CLI) application in Node.js and publishing it to npm (Node Package Manager) and Yarn can be a rewarding way to share your tools with the world.
Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started.
Support us! 🙏⭐️
By the way, I'm part of the WebCrumbs team, and it would mean a lot if you could check out our no-code solution for Node.js that simplifies web development. Giving us a star would be fantastic.
We're putting in a ton of effort to help devs take their ideas to a live website as quickly and easily as possible (think: effortless plugin and theme integration), and every bit of support is truly appreciated!
Ok. Now, let's dive back into writing your own CLI.
Step 1: Set Up Your Node.js Project
Initialize a new Node.js project: Create a new directory for your project and initialize it with npm init. This step will create a package.json file for your project.
Install necessary packages: Depending on the functionality of your CLI, you might need various packages. A popular one for CLI development is commander, which simplifies command-line interfaces.
npm install commander
Write your CLI application: Create a index.js file (or any entry file) and start scripting your CLI. Utilize the packages you've installed to handle command line arguments, execute functionality, etc.
Step 2: Prepare Your CLI for Execution
Add a shebang line: At the top of your entry file (index.js), add the shebang line:
#!/usr/bin/env node
This line tells the system that this script should be run with Node.
Update package.json: In your package.json, add a bin field that maps commands to files.
"bin": {
"your-cli-command": "./index.js"
}
Make your script executable: Run chmod +x index.js to make your script executable.
Step 3: Test Your CLI Locally
Link your package: Before publishing, you can test your CLI locally by running npm link in your project directory. This makes your CLI command available system-wide.
Test the CLI: Try running your CLI command in the terminal to ensure it works as expected.
Step 4: Publish Your CLI to npm
Create an npm account: If you don’t have one, create an npm account at npmjs.com.
Login to npm: In your terminal, run npm login and enter your npm credentials.
Publish your package: Once logged in, publish your CLI with:
npm publish
Verify: Check your package on the npm website to ensure it's published.
Step 5: Add Your Package to Yarn
Yarn Integration: Yarn uses the same package registry as npm, so once your package is on npm, it is automatically available for installation through Yarn.
Step 6: Updating Your CLI
To update your CLI, make changes to your code, update the version in your package.json, and then run npm publish again.
Step 7: Engage with the Community
Open Source Contributions: Since your project is on npm, you can host its source code on GitHub. Don't forget to add a README.md with usage and contribution guidelines.
Feedback and Improvements: Encourage users and developers to contribute and provide feedback to improve the CLI.
We are building a CLI for WebCrumbs!
Congratulations!
You've just learned how to create and publish a CLI using Node.js. Keep iterating based on user feedback and community contributions.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions! Your journey in open-source development and sharing tools is just beginning, and the community is here to support you. 🚀👨💻👩💻
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I usually write about JavaScript, WebDev and Webcrumbs ❤️.
Top comments (1)
Thanks for reading!