How to use pnpm run -r for project management

Overview of pnpm Run -r

Using pnpm run -r streamlines the process of running scripts, making it easier to manage dependencies, build processes, and other tasks that may need to be executed across various packages. This feature is particularly beneficial in larger projects that are organized as monorepos, where multiple packages are housed in a single repository.

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What pnpm Run -r Does

The pnpm run -r command is used to run scripts in a recursive manner, meaning it will look for scripts in all packages within a workspace. When this command is invoked, pnpm traverses through all the packages defined in the workspace and executes the specified script in each of them.

For instance, if you have several packages that each define a build script, running pnpm run -r build would trigger the build script in all of those packages. This recursive execution provides an efficient way to handle tasks that need to be performed across multiple packages without having to run each command individually.

Using pnpm Run -r in a Workspace

Workspaces in pnpm allow you to manage multiple packages within a single repository. To make use of pnpm run -r, first, ensure that your project is set up as a workspace. This typically involves creating a pnpm-workspace.yaml file at the root of your repository.

Here’s an example of what this file might look like:

# pnpm-workspace.yaml
packages:
  - 'packages/*'

In this configuration, all packages located in the packages directory will be included in the workspace. Once your workspace is set up, you can run scripts across all packages easily.

For example, if you want to run tests across all packages, you would execute:

pnpm run -r test

This command will execute the test script defined in each package's package.json.

Executing Scripts in All Packages

To execute a specific script in all packages, you simply need to specify the script name after the -r flag. For instance, if you have a lint script that you want to run in all packages, you would do the following:

pnpm run -r lint

In this case, pnpm will run the lint script in every package that has this script defined in its package.json. This is particularly useful for maintaining code quality, as it ensures that all packages adhere to the same linting rules.

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Benefits of pnpm Run -r

There are several advantages to using pnpm run -r. One primary benefit is the time saved when managing scripts across many packages. Instead of running commands manually for each package, you can execute them all at once, which reduces errors and increases productivity.

Another benefit is the consistency it brings to your workflow. By ensuring that all packages are executed under the same command, you minimize the chances of discrepancies between package versions or configurations. This is especially important in larger projects where maintaining uniformity across packages is crucial.

Additionally, executing scripts in a single command helps in automating processes. For example, you can integrate this command into your CI/CD pipeline to ensure that all tests pass before deploying, which enhances the overall development workflow.

Differences from npm Run

While both pnpm and npm provide ways to run scripts, there are key differences, particularly with pnpm run -r. npm does not have a built-in command for executing scripts across multiple packages in a workspace. Developers often need to resort to workarounds, such as using custom scripts or external tools, which can complicate the process.

pnpm also handles dependencies differently. It uses a content-addressable storage system that allows for more efficient package installations. This can lead to faster execution of scripts, as pnpm can quickly resolve dependencies and execute the corresponding scripts without the overhead that npm might experience.

Suitability for Monorepos

Monorepos, where multiple packages are stored in a single repository, are increasingly popular in modern software development. pnpm run -r is particularly well-suited for this architecture. It simplifies the management of scripts across various packages, making it easier to maintain and develop complex projects.

When managing a monorepo, it is common to have shared dependencies and scripts. By using pnpm, developers can ensure that all packages share the same versions of dependencies, reducing the risk of conflicts. Additionally, the ability to run scripts recursively means that common tasks can be executed seamlessly across all packages, enhancing collaboration and project organization.

Scripts Available for pnpm Run -r

Any script defined in a package's package.json can be executed using pnpm run -r. Common scripts include build, test, lint, and start. Here’s an example of what a package.json might look like with these scripts defined:

{
  "name": "example-package",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "scripts": {
    "build": "webpack",
    "test": "jest",
    "lint": "eslint .",
    "start": "node server.js"
  }
}

In this example, you can run any of these scripts across all packages in your workspace with the pnpm run -r command:

pnpm run -r build
pnpm run -r test
pnpm run -r lint
pnpm run -r start

Each of these commands will execute the corresponding script in every package that has it defined.

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Respecting package.json Configurations

pnpm run -r respects the configurations set in each package's package.json. If a script is not defined in a particular package, pnpm will simply skip that package when executing the command. This ensures that only relevant scripts are run and that no errors occur due to missing scripts.

For example, if one of your packages does not have a test script, running pnpm run -r test will execute the test script in all other packages that do have it, while skipping the one without it. This behavior streamlines the process and prevents unnecessary interruptions in your workflow.

Passing Arguments to pnpm Run -r

You can also pass arguments to the scripts you are executing with pnpm run -r. This is done by adding -- followed by the arguments after the script name. For example, if you want to run tests with a specific flag, you could use:

pnpm run -r test -- --watch

In this case, the --watch argument would be passed to the test script in each package that has it defined. This allows for greater flexibility in how scripts are executed across your workspace.

Using Custom Scripts with pnpm Run -r

Custom scripts can easily be integrated into your workflow with pnpm run -r. To create a custom script, simply define it in the scripts section of your package.json. For example, you may want to create a custom script for cleaning up build artifacts:

{
  "scripts": {
    "clean": "rimraf dist"
  }
}

Once defined, you can run this custom script across all packages using:

pnpm run -r clean

The command will execute the clean script in every package that has it defined. This makes managing custom tasks across multiple packages simple and efficient.