How to use Meshnet for multi-screen Node.js development

Discover how you can optimize your Node.js development processes using Meshnet.

Introduction

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that is used for web app development. It allows developers to use JavaScript to build scalable, high-performance web applications.

Node.js also comes with an HTTP server module, which can be used to create and serve static web pages on the local device. This makes it easy for developers to test their applications locally, with changes and updates reflected in real time on the web app.

By incorporating Meshnet into your development process, the HTTP server feature of Node.js allows for a more efficient development process because you can make changes to the project and see the results immediately on other devices. In addition, the web application can easily be accessed from remote devices even during the development stage.

This article showcases how junior developers can use Meshnet to monitor the development of their Node.js project from other devices.

Installing Node.js

To begin, you need to download and install Node.js on your device.

Creating a Node.js project

You can create and control Node.js projects using the node package manager (npm) commands via a command-line interface (CLI). The package manager comes with a package runner npx, which is used to run JavaScript packages from the npm registry.

Prepare your application

To create a Next.js application in your Node.js project:

  1. Open PowerShell (on Windows) or Terminal (on macOS and Linux).

  2. Create a new folder for your project using the mkdir command and navigate to it using cd. Example

    mkdir node-projects
    cd node-projects

  3. Create your new application using the create-new-app package by running this command:

    npx create-next-app@latest

    If prompted, press Enter to install the create-next-app package.

  4. Type in the name of your project and press Enter.

  5. Select which options you want to use in your application.

  6. Wait for the dependencies to be installed.

You should receive a success message when the process finishes.

Modify your landing page

Once your application’s folder has been created, you can start modifying its files and work on developing your application. For demonstration purposes, this article provides an example of modifying a landing page.

  1. From the command line, open the pages folder of your project using this command format cd <ProjectName>/pages, where <ProjectName> is the name you chose when creating the project. Example

    cd mynextapp/pages

  2. Open the index.js file using a text editor of your choice, for example, Nano, Vim, or Notepad.

  3. Make any preferred changes to the landing page using JavaScript.

  4. Save your changes and exit the file.

Start the development server

Note

If you are using a CLI text editor and a device with a single terminal interface, you need to use a terminal multiplexer, such as tmux, to keep the application active and edit the index.js file at the same time.

To see the visual result of your index.js file, you need to start the development server. In the command line, run this command:

npm run dev

After a few seconds, your application should start and you should see a ready message.

Checking results using Meshnet

Your web application is now up and running. You can access it over Meshnet using any other device to see the application you created. To access your project:

  1. Copy the Nord name of the device running Node.js from the NordVPN application.

  2. Open your internet browser.

  3. In the URL field, paste the copied Nord name, followed by :3000, and press Enter.

Now you should see the visual result of the index.js file.

Whenever you make a change to the index.js file and save it, the web interface will update automatically. This allows you to monitor the development progress from any device. Additionally, you can share your results with people from remote locations with ease.

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