How to use Meshnet for multi-screen Node.js development
Discover how you can optimize your Node.js development processes using Meshnet.
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.
To begin, you need to download and install Node.js on your device.
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.- 1.Open PowerShell (on Windows) or Terminal (on macOS and Linux).
- 2.Create a new folder for your project using the
mkdircommand and navigate to it usingcd. Examplemkdir node-projectscd node-projects - 3.Create your new application using the
create-new-apppackage by running this command:npx create-next-app@latestIf prompted, press Enter to install thecreate-next-apppackage. - 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.
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
pagesfolder of your project using this command formatcd <ProjectName>/pages, where<ProjectName>is the name you chose when creating the project. Examplecd mynextapp/pages - 2.Open the
index.jsfile 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.
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.
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.