denon
A feature-packed file watcher and script runner for Deno applications that automatically restarts on changes.
What is denon?
Denon is a file watcher and development tool for Deno applications that automatically restarts processes when source code changes. It solves the problem of manually restarting Deno servers during development by monitoring files and triggering restarts, similar to how nodemon works for Node.js. It serves as a drop-in replacement for the `deno` command with additional automation capabilities.
Deno developers building web servers, APIs, or any application that requires automatic reloading during development. It's particularly useful for backend developers working with Deno who want a streamlined development workflow.
Developers choose Denon because it provides a feature-rich, configurable alternative to manual restarts while maintaining full compatibility with Deno's command-line interface. Its extensive configuration options, script management capabilities, and familiar nodemon-like experience make it the go-to tool for Deno development automation.
Overview
👀 Monitor any changes in your Deno application and automatically restart.
Use Cases
Best For
- Developing Deno web servers that need automatic restart on code changes
- Managing complex Deno projects with multiple scripts and configurations
- Teams needing consistent development workflows across Deno projects
- Projects requiring granular control over Deno permissions during development
- Developers transitioning from Node.js/nodemon to Deno ecosystems
- Building Deno applications with TypeScript that need hot reload capabilities
Not Ideal For
- Production deployments requiring stable, non-restarting process management
- Projects using multiple runtimes where a Deno-specific tool adds unnecessary complexity
- Developers relying on IDEs with built-in Deno support that already handles hot-reload
- Simple one-off scripts that don't benefit from persistent file watching
Pros & Cons
Pros
Acts as a drop-in replacement for the deno command with identical syntax, requiring no code changes, as emphasized in the README for easy adoption.
Supports JSON, YAML, and TypeScript configuration files with detailed script management, including permissions, environment variables, and watcher options, providing customization for complex workflows.
Monitors file changes with configurable glob patterns and ignore options, automatically restarting applications to streamline development, a core feature highlighted in the features section.
Allows specific Deno permissions per script or globally, mimicking Deno's security model and detailed in the script options, which is unique to Deno tools.
Cons
Tightly coupled to Deno's evolving platform, requiring specific versions (^1.6.0) and relying on unstable features for installation, which can lead to compatibility issues and breakage.
Despite the zero-configuration claim, the extensive options and multiple file formats (JSON, YAML, TypeScript) may overwhelm users seeking simplicity, as evidenced by the lengthy configuration guide.
Compared to established tools like nodemon for Node.js, Denon has a smaller ecosystem and community, potentially resulting in fewer integrations and support resources.
Open Source Alternative To
denon is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
vscode-denoVisual Studio Code plugin for Deno
dntDeno to npm package build tool.
deno_dockerLatest dockerfiles and images for Deno - alpine, centos, debian, ubuntu
denoify🦕For NPM module authors that would like to support Deno but do not want to write and maintain a port.
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