install-nativescript

Package that helps you install Node.js, npm and nativescript-cli from within an Electron app. Works only on Windows and Mac.

Usage

1. First install the package:

npm install --save install-nativescript

2. Now use it in your code:

const installNativeScript = require("install-nativescript");

installNativeScript.ensureNode()
    .then(() => {
        return installNativeScript.ensureCLI();
    })

Public API

• ensureNode
• ensureCLI
• getNPMFoldersWithMissingPermissions
• fixMissingNPMPermissions

ensureNode

The ensureNode method checks if node is installed on the machine. In case it cannot detect it, the method downloads a node installer and runs it. You can pass a specific node version to install. In case it is not provided, the method installs version 10.15.3.

Note: This method changes process.env so that after it succeeds, you can install and detect globally installed npm modules.

Usage:

const installNativeScript = require("install-nativescript");

installNativeScript.ensureNode();

ensureCLI

The ensureCLI method checks if you have NativeScript CLI installed globally on your machine.

• In case it cannot detect it, the method installs it globally using npm. You can pass a specific NativeScript CLI version to install. In case it is not provided, the method installs the latest official version.
• In case it detects a version, the method will update it in case you pass a specific versionRange and the current version does not satisfy the requirement. Again, in case a specific version is not provided, the method installs the latest official version.

Usage:

const installNativeScript = require("install-nativescript");

installNativeScript.ensureCLI();

getNPMFoldersWithMissingPermissions

One of the reasons why ensureCLI method may fail on Mac machines, is in case some npm folders require root access. This method can help you detect this case. Just pass the error from ensureCLI and it will return an array of folders that might require root access. In case the array is empty, the error is not related to missing permissions.

Usage:

const installNativeScript = require("install-nativescript");

installNativeScript.ensureCLI()
    .catch((error) => {
        const permissionsFolders = installNativeScript.getNPMFoldersWithMissingPermissions(error);
    });

fixMissingNPMPermissions

The fixMissingNPMPermissions method accepts an array of folders and tries to change their permissions.

Usage:

const installNativeScript = require("install-nativescript");

installNativeScript.ensureCLI()
    .catch((error) => {
        const permissionsFolders = installNativeScript.getNPMFoldersWithMissingPermissions(error);

        if (permissionsFolders.length === 0) {
            return Promise.reject(error);
        }

        // It is a good idea to ask the user at this point if they approve the change and then change the permissions.

        return installNativeScript.fixMissingNPMPermissions(permissionsFolders)
            .then(() => {
                return installNativeScript.ensureCLI();
            });
    });