ShellJS is a portable (Windows/Linux/OS X) implementation of Unix shell commands on top of the Node.js API. You can use it to eliminate your shell script's dependency on Unix while still keeping its familiar and powerful commands. You can also install it globally so you can run it from outside Node projects - say goodbye to those gnarly Bash scripts!
The project is unit-tested and battled-tested in projects like:
and many more.
Via npm:
$ npm install [-g] shelljs
If the global option -g
is specified, the binary shjs
will be installed. This makes it possible to
run ShellJS scripts much like any shell script from the command line, i.e. without requiring a node_modules
folder:
$ shjs my_script
You can also just copy shell.js
into your project's directory, and require()
accordingly.
require('shelljs/global');
if (!which('git')) {
echo('Sorry, this script requires git');
exit(1);
}
// Copy files to release dir
mkdir('-p', 'out/Release');
cp('-R', 'stuff/*', 'out/Release');
// Replace macros in each .js file
cd('lib');
ls('*.js').forEach(function(file) {
sed('-i', 'BUILD_VERSION', 'v0.1.2', file);
sed('-i', /.*REMOVE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', file);
sed('-i', /.*REPLACE_LINE_WITH_MACRO.*\n/, cat('macro.js'), file);
});
cd('..');
// Run external tool synchronously
if (exec('git commit -am "Auto-commit"').code !== 0) {
echo('Error: Git commit failed');
exit(1);
}
require 'shelljs/global'
if not which 'git'
echo 'Sorry, this script requires git'
exit 1
# Copy files to release dir
mkdir '-p', 'out/Release'
cp '-R', 'stuff/*', 'out/Release'
# Replace macros in each .js file
cd 'lib'
for file in ls '*.js'
sed '-i', 'BUILD_VERSION', 'v0.1.2', file
sed '-i', /.*REMOVE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', file
sed '-i', /.*REPLACE_LINE_WITH_MACRO.*\n/, cat 'macro.js', file
cd '..'
# Run external tool synchronously
if (exec 'git commit -am "Auto-commit"').code != 0
echo 'Error: Git commit failed'
exit 1
The example above uses the convenience script shelljs/global
to reduce verbosity. If polluting your global namespace is not desirable, simply require shelljs
.
Example:
var shell = require('shelljs');
shell.echo('hello world');
A convenience script shelljs/make
is also provided to mimic the behavior of a Unix Makefile. In this case all shell objects are global, and command line arguments will cause the script to execute only the corresponding function in the global target
object. To avoid redundant calls, target functions are executed only once per script.
Example (CoffeeScript):
require 'shelljs/make'
target.all = ->
target.bundle()
target.docs()
target.bundle = ->
cd __dirname
mkdir 'build'
cd 'lib'
(cat '*.js').to '../build/output.js'
target.docs = ->
cd __dirname
mkdir 'docs'
cd 'lib'
for file in ls '*.js'
text = grep '//@', file # extract special comments
text.replace '//@', '' # remove comment tags
text.to 'docs/my_docs.md'
To run the target all
, call the above script without arguments: $ node make
. To run the target docs
: $ node make docs
, and so on.
<!--
DO NOT MODIFY BEYOND THIS POINT - IT'S AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED
-->
All commands run synchronously, unless otherwise stated.
Changes to directory dir
for the duration of the script
Returns the current directory.
Available options:
-R
: recursive-A
: all files (include files beginning with .
, except for .
and ..
)Examples:
ls('projs/*.js');
ls('-R', '/users/me', '/tmp');
ls('-R', ['/users/me', '/tmp']); // same as above
Returns array of files in the given path, or in current directory if no path provided.
Examples:
find('src', 'lib');
find(['src', 'lib']); // same as above
find('.').filter(function(file) { return file.match(/\.js$/); });
Returns array of all files (however deep) in the given paths.
The main difference from ls('-R', path)
is that the resulting file names
include the base directories, e.g. lib/resources/file1
instead of just file1
.
Available options:
-f
: force-r, -R
: recursiveExamples:
cp('file1', 'dir1');
cp('-Rf', '/tmp/*', '/usr/local/*', '/home/tmp');
cp('-Rf', ['/tmp/*', '/usr/local/*'], '/home/tmp'); // same as above
Copies files. The wildcard *
is accepted.
Available options:
-f
: force-r, -R
: recursiveExamples:
rm('-rf', '/tmp/*');
rm('some_file.txt', 'another_file.txt');
rm(['some_file.txt', 'another_file.txt']); // same as above
Removes files. The wildcard *
is accepted.
Available options:
f
: forceExamples:
mv('-f', 'file', 'dir/');
mv('file1', 'file2', 'dir/');
mv(['file1', 'file2'], 'dir/'); // same as above
Moves files. The wildcard *
is accepted.
Available options:
p
: full path (will create intermediate dirs if necessary)Examples:
mkdir('-p', '/tmp/a/b/c/d', '/tmp/e/f/g');
mkdir('-p', ['/tmp/a/b/c/d', '/tmp/e/f/g']); // same as above
Creates directories.
Available expression primaries:
'-b', 'path'
: true if path is a block device'-c', 'path'
: true if path is a character device'-d', 'path'
: true if path is a directory'-e', 'path'
: true if path exists'-f', 'path'
: true if path is a regular file'-L', 'path'
: true if path is a symboilc link'-p', 'path'
: true if path is a pipe (FIFO)'-S', 'path'
: true if path is a socketExamples:
if (test('-d', path)) { /* do something with dir */ };
if (!test('-f', path)) continue; // skip if it's a regular file
Evaluates expression using the available primaries and returns corresponding value.
Examples:
var str = cat('file*.txt');
var str = cat('file1', 'file2');
var str = cat(['file1', 'file2']); // same as above
Returns a string containing the given file, or a concatenated string
containing the files if more than one file is given (a new line character is
introduced between each file). Wildcard *
accepted.
Examples:
cat('input.txt').to('output.txt');
Analogous to the redirection operator >
in Unix, but works with JavaScript strings (such as
those returned by cat
, grep
, etc). Like Unix redirections, to()
will overwrite any existing file!
Examples:
cat('input.txt').toEnd('output.txt');
Analogous to the redirect-and-append operator >>
in Unix, but works with JavaScript strings (such as
those returned by cat
, grep
, etc).
Available options:
-i
: Replace contents of 'file' in-place. Note that no backups will be created!Examples:
sed('-i', 'PROGRAM_VERSION', 'v0.1.3', 'source.js');
sed(/.*DELETE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', 'source.js');
Reads an input string from file
and performs a JavaScript replace()
on the input
using the given search regex and replacement string. Returns the new string after replacement.
Available options:
-v
: Inverse the sense of the regex and print the lines not matching the criteria.Examples:
grep('-v', 'GLOBAL_VARIABLE', '*.js');
grep('GLOBAL_VARIABLE', '*.js');
Reads input string from given files and returns a string containing all lines of the
file that match the given regex_filter
. Wildcard *
accepted.
Examples:
var nodeExec = which('node');
Searches for command
in the system's PATH. On Windows looks for .exe
, .cmd
, and .bat
extensions.
Returns string containing the absolute path to the command.
Examples:
echo('hello world');
var str = echo('hello world');
Prints string to stdout, and returns string with additional utility methods
like .to()
.
Available options:
-n
: Suppresses the normal change of directory when adding directories to the stack, so that only the stack is manipulated.Arguments:
dir
: Makes the current working directory be the top of the stack, and then executes the equivalent of cd dir
.+N
: Brings the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs, starting with zero) to the top of the list by rotating the stack.-N
: Brings the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs, starting with zero) to the top of the list by rotating the stack.Examples:
// process.cwd() === '/usr'
pushd('/etc'); // Returns /etc /usr
pushd('+1'); // Returns /usr /etc
Save the current directory on the top of the directory stack and then cd to dir
. With no arguments, pushd exchanges the top two directories. Returns an array of paths in the stack.
Available options:
-n
: Suppresses the normal change of directory when removing directories from the stack, so that only the stack is manipulated.Arguments:
+N
: Removes the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs), starting with zero.-N
: Removes the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs), starting with zero.Examples:
echo(process.cwd()); // '/usr'
pushd('/etc'); // '/etc /usr'
echo(process.cwd()); // '/etc'
popd(); // '/usr'
echo(process.cwd()); // '/usr'
When no arguments are given, popd removes the top directory from the stack and performs a cd to the new top directory. The elements are numbered from 0 starting at the first directory listed with dirs; i.e., popd is equivalent to popd +0. Returns an array of paths in the stack.
Available options:
-c
: Clears the directory stack by deleting all of the elements.Arguments:
+N
: Displays the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs when invoked without options), starting with zero.-N
: Displays the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs when invoked without options), starting with zero.Display the list of currently remembered directories. Returns an array of paths in the stack, or a single path if +N or -N was specified.
See also: pushd, popd
Exits the current process with the given exit code.
Object containing environment variables (both getter and setter). Shortcut to process.env.
Available options (all false
by default):
async
: Asynchronous execution. Defaults to true if a callback is provided.silent
: Do not echo program output to console.Examples:
var version = exec('node --version', {silent:true}).output;
var child = exec('some_long_running_process', {async:true});
child.stdout.on('data', function(data) {
/* ... do something with data ... */
});
exec('some_long_running_process', function(code, output) {
console.log('Exit code:', code);
console.log('Program output:', output);
});
Executes the given command
synchronously, unless otherwise specified.
When in synchronous mode returns the object { code:..., output:... }
, containing the program's
output
(stdout + stderr) and its exit code
. Otherwise returns the child process object, and
the callback
gets the arguments (code, output)
.
Note: For long-lived processes, it's best to run exec()
asynchronously as
the current synchronous implementation uses a lot of CPU. This should be getting
fixed soon.
Available options:
-v
: output a diagnostic for every file processed-c
: like verbose but report only when a change is made-R
: change files and directories recursivelyExamples:
chmod(755, '/Users/brandon');
chmod('755', '/Users/brandon'); // same as above
chmod('u+x', '/Users/brandon');
Alters the permissions of a file or directory by either specifying the absolute permissions in octal form or expressing the changes in symbols. This command tries to mimic the POSIX behavior as much as possible. Notable exceptions:
Examples:
var tmp = tempdir(); // "/tmp" for most *nix platforms
Searches and returns string containing a writeable, platform-dependent temporary directory. Follows Python's tempfile algorithm.
Tests if error occurred in the last command. Returns null
if no error occurred,
otherwise returns string explaining the error
Example:
var silentState = config.silent; // save old silent state
config.silent = true;
/* ... */
config.silent = silentState; // restore old silent state
Suppresses all command output if true
, except for echo()
calls.
Default is false
.
Example:
config.fatal = true;
cp('this_file_does_not_exist', '/dev/null'); // dies here
/* more commands... */
If true
the script will die on errors. Default is false
.
# ShellJS - Unix shell commands for Node.js [![Build Status](https://secure.travis-ci.org/arturadib/shelljs.png)](http://travis-ci.org/arturadib/shelljs) ShellJS is a portable **(Windows/Linux/OS X)** implementation of Unix shell commands on top of the Node.js API. You can use it to eliminate your shell script's dependency on Unix while still keeping its familiar and powerful commands. You can also install it globally so you can run it from outside Node projects - say goodbye to those gnarly Bash scripts! The project is [unit-tested](http://travis-ci.org/arturadib/shelljs) and battled-tested in projects like: + [PDF.js](http://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js) - Firefox's next-gen PDF reader + [Firebug](http://getfirebug.com/) - Firefox's infamous debugger + [JSHint](http://jshint.com) - Most popular JavaScript linter + [Zepto](http://zeptojs.com) - jQuery-compatible JavaScript library for modern browsers + [Yeoman](http://yeoman.io/) - Web application stack and development tool + [Deployd.com](http://deployd.com) - Open source PaaS for quick API backend generation and [many more](https://npmjs.org/browse/depended/shelljs). ## Installing Via npm: ```bash $ npm install [-g] shelljs ``` If the global option `-g` is specified, the binary `shjs` will be installed. This makes it possible to run ShellJS scripts much like any shell script from the command line, i.e. without requiring a `node_modules` folder: ```bash $ shjs my_script ``` You can also just copy `shell.js` into your project's directory, and `require()` accordingly. ## Examples ### JavaScript ```javascript require('shelljs/global'); if (!which('git')) { echo('Sorry, this script requires git'); exit(1); } // Copy files to release dir mkdir('-p', 'out/Release'); cp('-R', 'stuff/*', 'out/Release'); // Replace macros in each .js file cd('lib'); ls('*.js').forEach(function(file) { sed('-i', 'BUILD_VERSION', 'v0.1.2', file); sed('-i', /.*REMOVE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', file); sed('-i', /.*REPLACE_LINE_WITH_MACRO.*\n/, cat('macro.js'), file); }); cd('..'); // Run external tool synchronously if (exec('git commit -am "Auto-commit"').code !== 0) { echo('Error: Git commit failed'); exit(1); } ``` ### CoffeeScript ```coffeescript require 'shelljs/global' if not which 'git' echo 'Sorry, this script requires git' exit 1 # Copy files to release dir mkdir '-p', 'out/Release' cp '-R', 'stuff/*', 'out/Release' # Replace macros in each .js file cd 'lib' for file in ls '*.js' sed '-i', 'BUILD_VERSION', 'v0.1.2', file sed '-i', /.*REMOVE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', file sed '-i', /.*REPLACE_LINE_WITH_MACRO.*\n/, cat 'macro.js', file cd '..' # Run external tool synchronously if (exec 'git commit -am "Auto-commit"').code != 0 echo 'Error: Git commit failed' exit 1 ``` ## Global vs. Local The example above uses the convenience script `shelljs/global` to reduce verbosity. If polluting your global namespace is not desirable, simply require `shelljs`. Example: ```javascript var shell = require('shelljs'); shell.echo('hello world'); ``` ## Make tool A convenience script `shelljs/make` is also provided to mimic the behavior of a Unix Makefile. In this case all shell objects are global, and command line arguments will cause the script to execute only the corresponding function in the global `target` object. To avoid redundant calls, target functions are executed only once per script. Example (CoffeeScript): ```coffeescript require 'shelljs/make' target.all = -> target.bundle() target.docs() target.bundle = -> cd __dirname mkdir 'build' cd 'lib' (cat '*.js').to '../build/output.js' target.docs = -> cd __dirname mkdir 'docs' cd 'lib' for file in ls '*.js' text = grep '//@', file # extract special comments text.replace '//@', '' # remove comment tags text.to 'docs/my_docs.md' ``` To run the target `all`, call the above script without arguments: `$ node make`. To run the target `docs`: `$ node make docs`, and so on. <!-- DO NOT MODIFY BEYOND THIS POINT - IT'S AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED --> ## Command reference All commands run synchronously, unless otherwise stated. ### cd('dir') Changes to directory `dir` for the duration of the script ### pwd() Returns the current directory. ### ls([options ,] path [,path ...]) ### ls([options ,] path_array) Available options: + `-R`: recursive + `-A`: all files (include files beginning with `.`, except for `.` and `..`) Examples: ```javascript ls('projs/*.js'); ls('-R', '/users/me', '/tmp'); ls('-R', ['/users/me', '/tmp']); // same as above ``` Returns array of files in the given path, or in current directory if no path provided. ### find(path [,path ...]) ### find(path_array) Examples: ```javascript find('src', 'lib'); find(['src', 'lib']); // same as above find('.').filter(function(file) { return file.match(/\.js$/); }); ``` Returns array of all files (however deep) in the given paths. The main difference from `ls('-R', path)` is that the resulting file names include the base directories, e.g. `lib/resources/file1` instead of just `file1`. ### cp([options ,] source [,source ...], dest) ### cp([options ,] source_array, dest) Available options: + `-f`: force + `-r, -R`: recursive Examples: ```javascript cp('file1', 'dir1'); cp('-Rf', '/tmp/*', '/usr/local/*', '/home/tmp'); cp('-Rf', ['/tmp/*', '/usr/local/*'], '/home/tmp'); // same as above ``` Copies files. The wildcard `*` is accepted. ### rm([options ,] file [, file ...]) ### rm([options ,] file_array) Available options: + `-f`: force + `-r, -R`: recursive Examples: ```javascript rm('-rf', '/tmp/*'); rm('some_file.txt', 'another_file.txt'); rm(['some_file.txt', 'another_file.txt']); // same as above ``` Removes files. The wildcard `*` is accepted. ### mv(source [, source ...], dest') ### mv(source_array, dest') Available options: + `f`: force Examples: ```javascript mv('-f', 'file', 'dir/'); mv('file1', 'file2', 'dir/'); mv(['file1', 'file2'], 'dir/'); // same as above ``` Moves files. The wildcard `*` is accepted. ### mkdir([options ,] dir [, dir ...]) ### mkdir([options ,] dir_array) Available options: + `p`: full path (will create intermediate dirs if necessary) Examples: ```javascript mkdir('-p', '/tmp/a/b/c/d', '/tmp/e/f/g'); mkdir('-p', ['/tmp/a/b/c/d', '/tmp/e/f/g']); // same as above ``` Creates directories. ### test(expression) Available expression primaries: + `'-b', 'path'`: true if path is a block device + `'-c', 'path'`: true if path is a character device + `'-d', 'path'`: true if path is a directory + `'-e', 'path'`: true if path exists + `'-f', 'path'`: true if path is a regular file + `'-L', 'path'`: true if path is a symboilc link + `'-p', 'path'`: true if path is a pipe (FIFO) + `'-S', 'path'`: true if path is a socket Examples: ```javascript if (test('-d', path)) { /* do something with dir */ }; if (!test('-f', path)) continue; // skip if it's a regular file ``` Evaluates expression using the available primaries and returns corresponding value. ### cat(file [, file ...]) ### cat(file_array) Examples: ```javascript var str = cat('file*.txt'); var str = cat('file1', 'file2'); var str = cat(['file1', 'file2']); // same as above ``` Returns a string containing the given file, or a concatenated string containing the files if more than one file is given (a new line character is introduced between each file). Wildcard `*` accepted. ### 'string'.to(file) Examples: ```javascript cat('input.txt').to('output.txt'); ``` Analogous to the redirection operator `>` in Unix, but works with JavaScript strings (such as those returned by `cat`, `grep`, etc). _Like Unix redirections, `to()` will overwrite any existing file!_ ### 'string'.toEnd(file) Examples: ```javascript cat('input.txt').toEnd('output.txt'); ``` Analogous to the redirect-and-append operator `>>` in Unix, but works with JavaScript strings (such as those returned by `cat`, `grep`, etc). ### sed([options ,] search_regex, replace_str, file) Available options: + `-i`: Replace contents of 'file' in-place. _Note that no backups will be created!_ Examples: ```javascript sed('-i', 'PROGRAM_VERSION', 'v0.1.3', 'source.js'); sed(/.*DELETE_THIS_LINE.*\n/, '', 'source.js'); ``` Reads an input string from `file` and performs a JavaScript `replace()` on the input using the given search regex and replacement string. Returns the new string after replacement. ### grep([options ,] regex_filter, file [, file ...]) ### grep([options ,] regex_filter, file_array) Available options: + `-v`: Inverse the sense of the regex and print the lines not matching the criteria. Examples: ```javascript grep('-v', 'GLOBAL_VARIABLE', '*.js'); grep('GLOBAL_VARIABLE', '*.js'); ``` Reads input string from given files and returns a string containing all lines of the file that match the given `regex_filter`. Wildcard `*` accepted. ### which(command) Examples: ```javascript var nodeExec = which('node'); ``` Searches for `command` in the system's PATH. On Windows looks for `.exe`, `.cmd`, and `.bat` extensions. Returns string containing the absolute path to the command. ### echo(string [,string ...]) Examples: ```javascript echo('hello world'); var str = echo('hello world'); ``` Prints string to stdout, and returns string with additional utility methods like `.to()`. ### pushd([options,] [dir | '-N' | '+N']) Available options: + `-n`: Suppresses the normal change of directory when adding directories to the stack, so that only the stack is manipulated. Arguments: + `dir`: Makes the current working directory be the top of the stack, and then executes the equivalent of `cd dir`. + `+N`: Brings the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs, starting with zero) to the top of the list by rotating the stack. + `-N`: Brings the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs, starting with zero) to the top of the list by rotating the stack. Examples: ```javascript // process.cwd() === '/usr' pushd('/etc'); // Returns /etc /usr pushd('+1'); // Returns /usr /etc ``` Save the current directory on the top of the directory stack and then cd to `dir`. With no arguments, pushd exchanges the top two directories. Returns an array of paths in the stack. ### popd([options,] ['-N' | '+N']) Available options: + `-n`: Suppresses the normal change of directory when removing directories from the stack, so that only the stack is manipulated. Arguments: + `+N`: Removes the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs), starting with zero. + `-N`: Removes the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs), starting with zero. Examples: ```javascript echo(process.cwd()); // '/usr' pushd('/etc'); // '/etc /usr' echo(process.cwd()); // '/etc' popd(); // '/usr' echo(process.cwd()); // '/usr' ``` When no arguments are given, popd removes the top directory from the stack and performs a cd to the new top directory. The elements are numbered from 0 starting at the first directory listed with dirs; i.e., popd is equivalent to popd +0. Returns an array of paths in the stack. ### dirs([options | '+N' | '-N']) Available options: + `-c`: Clears the directory stack by deleting all of the elements. Arguments: + `+N`: Displays the Nth directory (counting from the left of the list printed by dirs when invoked without options), starting with zero. + `-N`: Displays the Nth directory (counting from the right of the list printed by dirs when invoked without options), starting with zero. Display the list of currently remembered directories. Returns an array of paths in the stack, or a single path if +N or -N was specified. See also: pushd, popd ### exit(code) Exits the current process with the given exit code. ### env['VAR_NAME'] Object containing environment variables (both getter and setter). Shortcut to process.env. ### exec(command [, options] [, callback]) Available options (all `false` by default): + `async`: Asynchronous execution. Defaults to true if a callback is provided. + `silent`: Do not echo program output to console. Examples: ```javascript var version = exec('node --version', {silent:true}).output; var child = exec('some_long_running_process', {async:true}); child.stdout.on('data', function(data) { /* ... do something with data ... */ }); exec('some_long_running_process', function(code, output) { console.log('Exit code:', code); console.log('Program output:', output); }); ``` Executes the given `command` _synchronously_, unless otherwise specified. When in synchronous mode returns the object `{ code:..., output:... }`, containing the program's `output` (stdout + stderr) and its exit `code`. Otherwise returns the child process object, and the `callback` gets the arguments `(code, output)`. **Note:** For long-lived processes, it's best to run `exec()` asynchronously as the current synchronous implementation uses a lot of CPU. This should be getting fixed soon. ### chmod(octal_mode || octal_string, file) ### chmod(symbolic_mode, file) Available options: + `-v`: output a diagnostic for every file processed + `-c`: like verbose but report only when a change is made + `-R`: change files and directories recursively Examples: ```javascript chmod(755, '/Users/brandon'); chmod('755', '/Users/brandon'); // same as above chmod('u+x', '/Users/brandon'); ``` Alters the permissions of a file or directory by either specifying the absolute permissions in octal form or expressing the changes in symbols. This command tries to mimic the POSIX behavior as much as possible. Notable exceptions: + In symbolic modes, 'a-r' and '-r' are identical. No consideration is given to the umask. + There is no "quiet" option since default behavior is to run silent. ## Non-Unix commands ### tempdir() Examples: ```javascript var tmp = tempdir(); // "/tmp" for most *nix platforms ``` Searches and returns string containing a writeable, platform-dependent temporary directory. Follows Python's [tempfile algorithm](http://docs.python.org/library/tempfile.html#tempfile.tempdir). ### error() Tests if error occurred in the last command. Returns `null` if no error occurred, otherwise returns string explaining the error ## Configuration ### config.silent Example: ```javascript var silentState = config.silent; // save old silent state config.silent = true; /* ... */ config.silent = silentState; // restore old silent state ``` Suppresses all command output if `true`, except for `echo()` calls. Default is `false`. ### config.fatal Example: ```javascript config.fatal = true; cp('this_file_does_not_exist', '/dev/null'); // dies here /* more commands... */ ``` If `true` the script will die on errors. Default is `false`.