Registry / devops / tool
library0.8.0jsnpmunverified

The `tool` package, currently at version 21.0.0, provides an opinionated and configurable set of build tools primarily designed for JavaScript projects. It offers a command-line interface (`tool`) for executing various build tasks such as managing styles, scripts, and files, and also exposes a programmatic API for integration into other Node.js applications. The package relies on core utilities like `commander` for CLI parsing, `uglify-js` for minification, `glob` for file pattern matching, and `mkdirp` for directory creation. Despite its functional offering, the package was last published seven years ago (September 23, 2019) and its GitHub repository shows no commits for the past 13 years, indicating it is an abandoned project. Its last major release predates significant advancements in the JavaScript ecosystem, including widespread ESM adoption and newer Node.js LTS versions, making it potentially incompatible or insecure for modern development workflows. It has no discernible release cadence due to its inactive status.

npm install tool
INSTALL
IMPORT
SIG · TOOL
T
tool
devopsjavascriptv0.8.0
Install
Import
Disk
Pass rate
0/ 6
Env Coverage0 / 6
glibc
1822
musl
1822
Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v? · npm install
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
musl
node 18226 runs
build_error
glibc
node 18226 runs
build_error
Code
Verified usage

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

CLI Usage
npx tool --help
node bin/tool --help
The package is primarily designed as a command-line tool accessible globally via `npx` or if installed globally. Direct execution of `bin/tool` is also possible but less common.
tool API
const tool = require('tool');
import tool from 'tool'; import { tool } from 'tool';
This package is CommonJS-only. It exports an object containing various build functions (e.g., `build`, `styles`, `scripts`). There is no named or default ESM export.
tool.build
const { build } = require('tool');
const build = require('tool').build;
This is a named export within the CommonJS module. Destructuring is the idiomatic way to access specific functions from the exported object. Direct property access also works but is less concise.

This quickstart demonstrates how to access the `tool` CLI for help and illustrates the programmatic import pattern for its CommonJS API. It shows how to check for available functions like `styles.build` and `scripts.build`, which are part of its exposed API for build tasks.

const { build, styles, scripts } = require('tool'); const path = require('path'); const fs = require('fs'); // CLI usage example: Display help console.log('--- CLI Help ---'); const { execSync } = require('child_process'); try { console.log(execSync('npx tool --help', { encoding: 'utf8' })); } catch (error) { console.error('Error running CLI help:', error.message); } // Programmatic usage example (simplified, assuming basic file structure) console.log('\n--- Programmatic Usage ---'); // Mock configuration for a build task const config = { styles: { src: [path.join(__dirname, 'src/styles/**/*.css')], dest: path.join(__dirname, 'dist/css'), minify: true }, scripts: { src: [path.join(__dirname, 'src/scripts/**/*.js')], dest: path.join(__dirname, 'dist/js'), minify: true }, // ... other build options }; // Create dummy source files for demonstration fs.mkdirSync(path.join(__dirname, 'src/styles'), { recursive: true }); fs.writeFileSync(path.join(__dirname, 'src/styles/main.css'), 'body { color: red; }'); fs.mkdirSync(path.join(__dirname, 'src/scripts'), { recursive: true }); fs.writeFileSync(path.join(__dirname, 'src/scripts/app.js'), 'console.log("Hello");'); async function runBuild() { try { console.log('Running styles build...'); // In a real scenario, you'd pass specific options to styles() // This is a placeholder as the exact API for styles/scripts is not fully documented in public README // Assuming `styles` and `scripts` functions would take src/dest arguments or a config object // The actual `tool` library's `lib/tool.js` exports functions like `styles.build`, `scripts.build` etc. // Simplified for quickstart: calling a generic 'build' if it exists or illustrating the functions. // Given `lib/tool.js` exports `build` as a top-level function as well, // we'll simulate calling specific sub-commands through a generic `build` hook. // The `tool` package actually exposes `tool.styles.build`, `tool.scripts.build` etc. // For a quickstart, we'll assume a high-level `build` can orchestrate these. // If not, a direct call to `styles.build` or `scripts.build` would be required. // For this quickstart, let's assume `build` orchestrates based on a config, or call sub-functions directly. // From `lib/tool.js`, it looks like `module.exports.styles = { build: function() { ... } }` // So, we would actually do `styles.build()`. Let's correct this for accuracy. console.log('Attempting to call styles.build...'); // This would require more specific setup/mocking to run fully without error, // as the actual `styles.build` expects certain arguments or internal context. // For demonstration, we'll just show the function call pattern. // styles.build(config.styles.src, config.styles.dest, config.styles.minify); // To be runnable, let's simplify and mock what `tool` might do given its dependencies // This part requires understanding the internal logic of the 'tool' package, // which is not exposed in a simple README. // Let's create a minimal example that represents invoking some utility from 'tool'. // Based on `lib/tool.js`, it exports an object `exports.styles = { build: function() {} }` // and `exports.scripts = { build: function() {} }`. // The top-level `build` seems to be an orchestrator. // We cannot reliably run `tool.build` or `tool.styles.build` without knowing their // precise arguments and internal side effects. Given it's abandoned and minimal docs, // a simple import and logging would be more robust for a quickstart. console.log('The `tool` object contains functions like:', Object.keys(require('tool'))); if (typeof styles.build === 'function') { console.log('`styles.build` function is available. A real usage would involve arguments.'); // Example: styles.build(['./src/styles/*.css'], './dist/css', { minify: true }); } if (typeof scripts.build === 'function') { console.log('`scripts.build` function is available. A real usage would involve arguments.'); // Example: scripts.build(['./src/scripts/*.js'], './dist/js', { minify: true }); } console.log('Build process completed (simulated).'); } catch (error) { console.error('Error during programmatic build:', error.message); } } runBuild();
tool --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingThe `tool` package is abandoned and was last published in 2019. It is highly likely to be incompatible with modern Node.js versions (e.g., Node.js 16+), especially concerning its reliance on outdated internal `npm` and `uglify-js` dependencies. Expect runtime errors and failures in contemporary JavaScript environments.
fix
Avoid using this package in new projects. For existing projects, consider migrating to actively maintained build tools like Gulp, Webpack, Rollup, or esbuild. If migration is not immediately feasible, use a legacy Node.js environment (e.g., Node.js 10 or 12) if compatible with other project dependencies, but be aware of security risks.
affects: >=21.0.0
securityThe package includes `uglify-js` (v3.2.2) and `npm` (v5.6.0) as dependencies, which are severely outdated. These versions likely contain known security vulnerabilities (CVEs) that could expose your project to risks, including supply chain attacks, code injection, or denial-of-service exploits.
fix
Due to the project's abandonment, there will be no official fixes. The only reliable fix is to replace the `tool` package with actively maintained and secure alternatives. Manually auditing and patching its dependencies is impractical and risky.
affects: >=21.0.0
gotchaThis package is a CommonJS module and does not natively support ES Modules (ESM) syntax (`import/export`). Attempting to `import` it in an ESM context will result in runtime errors like 'require is not defined' or 'ERR_UNKNOWN_FILE_EXTENSION'.
fix
Always use `require()` for importing the `tool` package. If your project is primarily ESM, you will need to use `createRequire` from Node.js's `module` built-in or ensure the file importing `tool` remains a CommonJS module.
affects: >=21.0.0
Errors
Common errors & fixes
Error: Cannot find module 'tool'
The package is not installed or the `node_modules` path is incorrect.
fix
Ensure the package is correctly installed via `npm install tool` or `yarn add tool`. Verify `node_modules` is present and accessible from your execution context.
TypeError: require is not a function
Attempting to import the CommonJS `tool` package using ES Modules `import` syntax in an ESM context.
fix
If your file is an ESM module (e.g., `.mjs` or `"type": "module"` in `package.json`), use `const tool = require('tool');` if possible, or if truly in an ESM context without `require`, you might need to reconsider using this CJS-only package. For Node.js, `createRequire` can bridge the gap.
Command failed: npx tool --help
The `tool` CLI command failed to execute, likely due to an incompatible Node.js version or missing runtime dependencies.
fix
Check your Node.js version. This abandoned package is likely incompatible with recent Node.js versions. Try running it with an older Node.js version (e.g., Node.js 10 or 12). Also, ensure `npm` and `npx` are updated, although the package itself might require an older `npm` version internally.
Upgrade
Version history
0.8.0latest on npm
Audit
Dependencies
colorsrequiredUsed for colorful command-line output.
commanderrequiredPowers the command-line interface (CLI) for parsing arguments and defining commands.
diffrequiredLikely used for displaying differences in file content, possibly for build verification or reporting.
globrequiredFor matching file paths using patterns, essential for processing multiple files during builds.
mkdirprequiredUtility for creating directories recursively.
npmrequiredIncludes an outdated version of npm (5.6.0) as a dependency, potentially for internal package management or specific npm commands within its build process.
uglify-jsrequiredUsed for JavaScript minification and compression.
Agent activity
8 hits · last 30 days
node
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