Executing Shell Commands in Node.js: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this technical blog, I’ll explain how to run a shell command from a Node.js script, providing you with a detailed step-by-step guide. By following these steps, you’ll be able to execute shell commands seamlessly in your Node.js project.

To begin, you’ll need to import the child module from the child_process package. Here’s how you can achieve it in your Node.js script:

import * as child from 'node:child_process';

// or

const child = require('node:child_process');

Once you have the child module imported, you can utilize the child.exec() function to execute the desired shell command. Let me give you an example:

1	child.exec(`mkdir test`);

In the above example, the mkdir test command is executed, which creates a new directory called “test” in the current working directory. You can replace this command with any other shell command you want to execute.

By following these simple steps, you can seamlessly execute shell commands from your Node.js script, enhancing the functionality and flexibility of your project.

Tags: Node.js, shell commands, child_process