The `couchdb-ensure` package provides a focused Node.js utility for managing CouchDB database existence. Its primary function is to check if a CouchDB database at a specified URL already exists and, if not, to create it. This makes it an ideal tool for initial application setup, automated testing environments, or any scenario requiring a guaranteed database presence before operations begin. The current stable version is 2.1.0, released in October 2021, indicating a mature and stable codebase with an infrequent release cadence, typically driven by updates to its core dependencies like the `nano` CouchDB client. Unlike full-featured ORMs or database management tools, `couchdb-ensure` differentiates itself by its single-purpose API and a convenient command-line interface (CLI) for rapid database initialization, providing a lightweight and efficient solution without unnecessary overhead. It primarily utilizes CommonJS for module exports.
npm install couchdb-ensureVerified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
This example demonstrates how to use `couchdb-ensure` with both a traditional callback and an `async/await` pattern (using `promisify`) to ensure a CouchDB database exists, including basic error handling.
Review the official `nano` client documentation for version 9.x to understand changes in API, configuration, and options. Adjust any direct `nano` configuration passed to `couchdb-ensure` if it relies on older `nano` patterns.
For CommonJS, use `const ensure = require('couchdb-ensure')`. For ESM, ensure your `package.json` has `"type": "module"` and consider using an explicit `createRequire` from `module` or a bundler that handles CJS-to-ESM conversion, or stick to the CLI for simple use cases.Verify that your CouchDB server is running and accessible at the specified URL (`http://localhost:5984` is common). Ensure any necessary authentication details are included in the URL or passed via `nano` options if the CouchDB instance requires them. Check network firewalls if running remotely.
Change `import ensure from 'couchdb-ensure'` to `const ensure = require('couchdb-ensure')` for Node.js environments. If you must use ESM syntax, consider `import ensure = require('couchdb-ensure')` in TypeScript, or a bundler configured for CJS interop.Ensure your CouchDB instance is running. Check the URL provided to `couchdb-ensure` (e.g., `http://localhost:5984`) for correctness. Verify no firewall is blocking access if connecting to a remote server.