How to run node server.js and npm start with one command

Question

I spun up a new create-react-app and an Express backend locally. Right now I have to run node server.js and npm start separately to make sure both the frontend and backend runs.

Is there a way that I can run both with just one npm command by just editing my package.json file?

Is it an option to just create a batch/shell file of some kind and execute both commands? — DesperateEi, Dec 02 '19 at 11:18
I am not sure if it works with react too, but have you looked at https://nodemon.io/? — Aniket Kariya, Dec 02 '19 at 11:20
Does this answer your question? [How can I run multiple npm scripts in parallel?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30950032/how-can-i-run-multiple-npm-scripts-in-parallel) — Mrkinix, Dec 02 '19 at 11:24
I would recomend this package: https://www.npmjs.com/package/concurrently — Peter, Dec 02 '19 at 11:25

score 6 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 02 '19 at 13:13

This is how I do it using a module named concurrently.

Install concurrently using npm.
Add the script to the package.json file of the root folder.

"scripts": {
"test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
"start": "node index.js",
"client": "npm run start --prefix client",
"server": "nodemon index.js",
"dev": "concurrently \"npm run client\" \"npm run server\""
}

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Jul 16 '21 at 07:03

1

Yes you can. Under your package.json file you can use:

{
  "name": "projectX",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "scripts": {
    "dev:api": "node server.js",
    "dev:client": "npm start",
    "dev": "npm run dev:api && npm run dev:client"
  }
}

If you run npm run dev it will run both of your scripts.

But I wouldn't recommend this approach because you are making your backend & frontend dependent on each other. That means you will have one version for both, one CI/CD pipeline, one deployment.

I would have two separate projects.

edited Jul 16 '21 at 07:03

DonCarleone

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answered Dec 02 '19 at 11:23

hurricane

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can we do something like cd backend && npm start, if we want to maintain only one package.json file? – Rohan Devaki Oct 27 '20 at 06:01
@RohanDevaki Yes, you can of course. The best solution would be using docker containers. – hurricane Oct 27 '20 at 07:37
1

i dont know about docker containers, i am still learnig them, i will check it , thanks, – Rohan Devaki Oct 28 '20 at 06:02

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 02 '19 at 11:24

1

In your package.json add another script

"scripts": {
    "start": "..."
    "start-server": "node server.js && npm start",
  }

answered Dec 02 '19 at 11:24

Dibakar Halder

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Should also point out that `start-server` needs to be run using `$ npm run start-server` instead of `$ npm start-server`. – nicholaswmin Dec 02 '19 at 11:36
Thanks so much. What if I want the command to be npm start instead of npm start-server? – D.S Dec 02 '19 at 11:52
You can just over ride the start command and write your own command `"start": "YOUR COMMAND"` – Dibakar Halder Dec 07 '19 at 16:17
Well said @DibakarHalder – Agent K Jul 10 '21 at 14:20

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Feb 25 '22 at 18:16

In your package.json file just add this script. There is no need for an npm package. However, if you need one concurrently will do the trick.

"scripts": {
        "client": "npm run start --prefix client",
        "server": "npm run watch --prefix server",
        "watch": "npm run server & npm run client",
        "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
      },

How to run node server.js and npm start with one command

4 Answers4