https://github.com/tbjgolden/xnr
A fast, zero-config TypeScript runner for easy reliable script execution.
https://github.com/tbjgolden/xnr
cjs commonjs esm modules node run runner typescript
Last synced: 2 months ago
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A fast, zero-config TypeScript runner for easy reliable script execution.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/tbjgolden/xnr
- Owner: tbjgolden
- License: other
- Created: 2022-06-11T11:38:19.000Z (about 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-12-03T12:48:58.000Z (7 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-03-29T00:23:38.875Z (3 months ago)
- Topics: cjs, commonjs, esm, modules, node, run, runner, typescript
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage:
- Size: 1.21 MB
- Stars: 22
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# xnr
[](https://packagephobia.com/result?p=xnr)
Easily, quickly, and reliably run a TypeScript Node.js script from the CLI with zero configuration.
_Blazingly fast 🚀_
```sh
npx xnr any-file.{ts,tsx,cts,mts,js,jsx,cjs,mjs}
```
Ideal for **utility scripts**, **quick debugging** and **CI pipelines**
## Key Features
- **Zero configuration**: Run your TypeScript files directly without needing a `tsconfig` file or
any additional setup. Ideal for quick scripts or CI tasks
- **Supports multiple file types**: Easily run any combination of TypeScript, JavaScript, JSON and
JSX files
- **Lightweight**: Very quick to install at just ~400kB
- **Flexible and familiar**: Tolerant to different file extensions, but otherwise follows Node
conventions
- **Optimised for Speed**: Faster install+execution time than `xnr`
- **Focused Scope**: Single goal: run TypeScript code quickly and reliably
- **Supports Windows**
## Getting Started
### Installation
While you can use `xnr` directly with `npx`, you can also install it for frequent use:
```sh
npm install --save-dev xnr
```
### Running a Script
Simply use `npx` to run your TypeScript or JavaScript file:
```sh
npx xnr file.ts
```
For running dev scripts in your package.json:
```json
{
"scripts": {
"run": "xnr run.ts"
}
}
```
## Caveats and Scope
- Only supports dynamic imports or requires with static strings (e.g. `require("./file.ts")` will
work but `require(someVar)` will not)
- Requires Node.js 16.14 or higher (for full ES module support)
## CLI
CLI docs can be viewed at any time by running `xnr --help`.
## API
`xnr` also provides an API with a few more options than the CLI:
```ts
// Runs a file with auto-transpilation of it and its dependencies, as required.
const run: (filePathOrConfig: string | RunConfig) => Promise;
// Converts all local source code starting from an entry file into a directly runnable directory of Node.js compatible code.
const build: ({
filePath,
outputDirectory,
}: {
filePath: string;
outputDirectory: string;
}) => Promise;
// Converts all local source code starting from an entry file into a runnable array of Node.js compatible file contents.
const transpile: ({ filePath }: { filePath: string }) => Promise;
// Transforms an input code string into a Node-friendly ECMAScript Module (ESM) code string. Unlike the others here, it doesn't rewrite imports.
const transform: ({ code, filePath }: { code: string; filePath?: string }) => Promise;
```
A complete list of exports can be viewed on
[`npmjs.com`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/xnr?activeTab=code) (navigate to
/xnr/dist/lib/index.d.ts)
## Jest transformer
Add these lines to your jest config to get easy TS transforms:
```json
{
// ...
"extensionsToTreatAsEsm": [".ts"],
"transform": {
"\\.ts$": "/node_modules/xnr/dist/jest.js"
}
// ...
}
```
## Key benchmarks
| runner | run single file | run small project | install size | install time |
| -------- | --------------: | ----------------: | -----------: | -----------: |
| xnr | `93`ms | `102`ms | `0.4`MB | very quick |
| tsx | `142`ms | `146`ms | `29.7`MB | slow |
| swc-node | `232`ms | `235`ms | `62.0`MB | very slow |
| ts-node | `661`ms | `659`ms | `6.7`MB | quick |
In general, you can expect best-in-class install + run time.
## Contributing
Feel free to open issues if you encounter bugs or have suggestions for new features.
## Licence
Apache-2.0