x4build

x4 solution builder

installation:

npm install -g x4build@latest

as an alternative, you can use npx ; use npx x4build instead of x4build.

CREATE a new project

	# create an empty electron project
	# this will create a new folder named test with all files to start a new electron project
	x4build create test --type=html

• --type=<type> where <type> is one of

  • node: node project (client and server)
  • electron: electron project (desktop application)
  • html: html project (standard html project)
  • server: simple server (work in progress)

• --overwrite: to overwrite existing project

BUILD an existing project

	# build an electron project and monitor the main.js file
	# kill & reload main.js when changing
	x4build build --serve --watch --hmr

• --release: build the release
• --debug: build in debug mode (default)
• --serve: (html) serve files
• --watch: watch for source modifications (automatic rebuild)
• --hmr: (electron/html) Hot Module Reloading: reload the browser when build is done
• --monitor=: (node) monitor for file modification kill and reload the node application

package.json

a new entry is recognized: x4build

• postBuild: commands to start after compilation; some string parts are replaced:

  • ${srcdir}: source dir
  • ${outdir}: destination dir
  • @copy: simple copy command line(windows/linux compat)

• external: don't bundle these elements (you must use npm install for them in the dist folder)

• override: all options that will be sent to esbuild

example:

"x4build": {
	"postBuild": [ "@copy ${srcdir}/src/assets ${outdir}/assets" ],
	"external": [ "better-sqlite3" ],					
	"override": {
		"legalComments": true
	}
}