grpc-man

library1.8.0jsnpmunverified

grpc-man is a lightweight gRPC client library for Node.js that allows calling gRPC server methods dynamically at runtime. Version 1.8.0 is the latest stable release, with active maintenance and updates. It supports both programmatic use in JavaScript/TypeScript projects and command-line usage for quick verification of gRPC services. Unlike generated gRPC clients, grpc-man can load .proto files at runtime and invoke methods without code generation, making it ideal for testing and debugging. It ships TypeScript definitions and requires Node.js >=8.9.0.

testing devops

npm install grpc-man

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · GRPC-MAN

grpc-man

testingjavascriptv1.8.0

harness data pending

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

No compatibility data collected yet for this library.

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

GrpcClient

✓ import GrpcClient from 'grpc-man/lib/Client';

✗ import { GrpcClient } from 'grpc-man';

The library does not have a default export at the package root; you must import from the specific path 'grpc-man/lib/Client'. The import path is case-sensitive.

Client

✓ import Client from 'grpc-man/lib/Client';

✗ import Client from 'grpc-man';

The class is named GrpcClient in the source, but you can alias it as Client when importing. The library also exports Client as a named export from 'grpc-man/lib/Client'.

grpc-man (CLI)

✓ grpc-man <endpoint> <protoFilePath>

✗ npx grpc-man <endpoint>

The CLI requires both endpoint and proto file path as arguments. Running without arguments shows help.

GrpcClient instance

✓ const client = new GrpcClient('localhost:50051', './path/to/service.proto');

✗ const client = new GrpcClient('localhost', './path/to/service.proto');

The endpoint must include the port (e.g., 'localhost:50051'). Omitting the port causes a connection error.

Demonstrates importing GrpcClient, creating a client with endpoint and proto file path, and calling a gRPC method.

import GrpcClient from 'grpc-man/lib/Client'; async function main() { const client = new GrpcClient('0.0.0.0:8890', './proto/helloworld.proto'); const res = await client.grpc.helloworld.Greeter.sayHello({ name: 'World' }); console.log(res); // { message: 'Hello World' } } main().catch(console.error);

Debug

Known issues

gotchaThe import path 'grpc-man/lib/Client' is case-sensitive and may vary on different filesystems.

fix

Use exact path 'grpc-man/lib/Client' in imports.

affects: >=1.0.0

breakingIn version 1.7.0, the method signature for Client constructor changed to accept endpoint and protoPath as separate arguments.

fix

Update code: new Client(endpoint, protoPath) instead of passing an object.

affects: >=1.7.0

deprecatedThe package relies on the deprecated 'grpc' npm package (not '@grpc/grpc-js'), which may have compatibility issues with newer Node.js versions.

fix

Consider switching to '@grpc/grpc-js' and updating the library or using an alternative.

affects: <2.0.0

gotchaIf the proto file contains packages, you must prefix method calls with the package name (e.g., client.grpc.mypackage.MyService.myMethod).

fix

Check proto file for package declaration and include it in the call chain.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaThe library does not support SSL/TLS by default; connections are insecure.

fix

For secure connections, use a different gRPC client library that supports credentials.

affects: >=1.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: Cannot find module 'grpc-man/lib/Client'

Import path is incorrect; maybe using 'grpc-man' without '/lib/Client' or typo.

fix

Use correct import: import GrpcClient from 'grpc-man/lib/Client';

Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, open '.../path/to/protofile.proto'

Proto file path is incorrect or file missing.

fix

Provide the absolute or correct relative path to the .proto file.

Error: 14 UNAVAILABLE: failed to connect to all addresses

gRPC server is not running or endpoint is wrong.

fix

Ensure the gRPC server is started and the endpoint (host:port) is correct.

TypeError: client.grpc.helloworld.Greeter.sayHello is not a function

Proto file does not define the method or package path is incorrect.

fix

Inspect the proto file for correct service and method names, and include package prefixes if any.

Upgrade

Version history

1.8.0latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

grpcrequiredCore gRPC library for client-server communication

protobufjsrequiredUsed for loading .proto files at runtime

Agent activity

13 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/Jeff-Tian/grpc-man ↗

packagegrpc-man ↗

homepagehttps://github.com/Jeff-Tian/grpc-man#readme ↗