How can I run multiple npm scripts in parallel?

Running Multiple NPM Scripts in Parallel: A Simple Guide 👥✨

If you're an avid Node.js developer like me, you probably have a bunch of npm scripts in your package.json file to make your development process smoother. But have you ever wondered how to run multiple scripts in parallel? 🤔 In this blog post, I'll share an easy solution to this common problem.

The Problem 🚫

Let's take a look at the scenario shared by our friend here. In their package.json, they have two scripts: start-watch and wp-server. 📦 They want to run these two scripts simultaneously every time they start developing in Node.js. Their initial attempt was to add a third script called dev:

"dev": "npm run start-watch && npm run wp-server"

However, this approach executes the second script only after the first one finishes running, which is not what they desire. So how can we solve this? Let's dive into the solution! 💡

The Solution ⚡️

To run multiple scripts in parallel, we need to use a tool called npm-run-all. This handy utility allows us to execute multiple npm scripts simultaneously. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Install npm-run-all as a development dependency by running the following command in your terminal:

npm install --save-dev npm-run-all

1. Update your package.json file with the new dev script:

"scripts": {
  "start-watch": "nodemon run-babel index.js",
  "wp-server": "webpack-dev-server",
  "dev": "npm-run-all --parallel start-watch wp-server"
}

By using the --parallel flag, we instruct npm-run-all to run the specified scripts concurrently. 🏃‍♀️🏃

1. Finally, to execute the dev script, run the following command:

npm run dev

Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the magic ✨ of running your scripts in parallel!

Considering the Output 📊

Our friend mentioned that they want to see the output of the commands while running them in parallel. Well, good news! npm-run-all merges the outputs of the scripts and displays them in your terminal. So you won't miss any insightful logs or error messages. 📝

Gulp vs. Grunt: Pick Your Favorite 🤝

As an extra note, our friend expressed their preference for gulp over grunt. If you also lean towards using gulp, fear not! You can seamlessly integrate npm-run-all with gulp tasks. Simply create a new gulp task that executes the dev script, and you're good to go! 🎉

Your Turn to Shine! ✨

Now that you know how to run multiple npm scripts in parallel, it's time to put this knowledge into action! Give it a try on your own projects and experience the improved development workflow. If you encounter any issues or have more questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Let's help each other level up! 💪

Remember, parallel execution saves you time and unlocks new possibilities. So go ahead, parallelize those scripts, and make your development process even more efficient! ⏱

Happy coding! 👩‍💻👨‍💻

PS: If you found this guide helpful, don't forget to share it with your fellow developers. Sharing is caring, after all! 😉