Exploring Velociraptor, Deno’s npm-style script runner
Blog post from LogRocket
Deno, a JavaScript runtime, has evolved since its release in May 2020 but hasn't yet dethroned Node.js as some anticipated. Despite its first-class TypeScript support, secure permission system, and URL-based module loading, Deno lacks certain features like a built-in script runner, which limits its usability compared to Node.js's package.json. To address this, Velociraptor emerges as a popular script runner for Deno, offering a package.json-like experience with additional features specific to Deno. Velociraptor allows users to define scripts in various file formats, provides a command-line interface similar to npm or yarn, and supports enhanced configurations such as permissions, environment variables, and composite scripts for complex workflows. It also integrates with Git hooks and GitHub Actions, and offers editor support for autocompletion in environments like VS Code. This makes script management in Deno more efficient, enabling developers to create complex, structured workflows easily.