4bnode

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A professional CLI tool and visual dashboard to generate, manage, and test Node.js/Express applications.

Built by 4Brains Technologies.

Quick Start

npx 4bnode init my-app
cd my-app
npm run dev

Your app runs at http://localhost:3000 with a built-in visual dashboard at http://localhost:3000/_dev.

CLI Commands

Create a Project

npx 4bnode init <name>

Scaffolds a new Express project with:

• ES Module syntax
• Environment config (.env.development, .env.production)
• CORS, JSON body parser (50MB limit)
• Static file serving from public/
• Built-in dev dashboard at /_dev

Add Features

Use the interactive menu:

npx 4bnode add

Or add directly:

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | 4bnode add api <name> | Create a new API endpoint | | 4bnode add mongo | Configure MongoDB connection | | 4bnode add crud | Add CRUD operations to a route | | 4bnode add login | Add JWT authentication & login | | 4bnode add socket | Integrate Socket.IO | | 4bnode add websocket | Add native WebSocket support | | 4bnode add serialport | Serial port communication |

API Endpoint Creation

4bnode add api users

When creating an API endpoint:

• Select HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH)
• Choose fields from existing model (if available)
• Add custom fields received from client
• File fields auto-configure multer for multipart uploads
• All routes use /api/ prefix

Schema Management

4bnode schema              # Interactive create/view/edit
4bnode schema user         # Create or edit 'user' schema

Supported field types: String, Number, Boolean, Date, Array, ObjectId, Mixed, Buffer

Field constraints: required, unique, default

Presets available: user, product, post

List Project Info

4bnode list                # Show all models, routes & config
4bnode list models         # List models only
4bnode list routes         # List routes only

Dashboard Passkey

During npx 4bnode init, you'll be prompted to set a 6-digit passkey to protect the dev dashboard.

To change the passkey later, run inside your project:

4bnode passkey

Start Dev Dashboard

4bnode ui

Runs npm run dev and opens the visual dashboard. Must be run inside a 4bnode project.

Visual Dashboard

Access at http://localhost:3000/_dev when running npm run dev.

Dashboard Features

Overview - Project status, configured features, quick stats

Database - MongoDB connection setup, URI management

Schemas - Create, view, edit MongoDB schemas with field management. Add/remove fields, toggle required/unique, set defaults.

API Routes - Full route management:

• Create new routes (Methods, CRUD, Login, Register)
• Add methods to existing routes with field selection
• Select fields from models or add custom fields
• File upload fields auto-configure multer
• View route source code, edit inline
• Share endpoint docs with frontend team (Markdown format)
• Delete routes (removes file + index.js registration)

API Tester - Built-in Postman-like API testing tool:

• REST API, Socket.IO, and WebSocket testing
• Body types: JSON, Form Data, URL Encoded, Raw, Binary
• File uploads: Choose file, send as File or Base64
• Auto-detect fields: Matches URL to route and pre-fills body/form fields from route code
• Path variables: Auto-detects :id params, shows editable fields
• Query params: Key-value editor, auto-fills from req.query
• Headers: Key-value editor with quick presets (Bearer Auth, JSON, Form Data, URL Encoded, Accept)
• Response viewer: Body + Headers tabs, copy response, save responses
• Collection management: Save requests, organize with responses, delete with confirmation
• Share collection: Generate shareable API documentation page with:
  • Endpoint details, headers, body fields
  • Code examples (cURL, Fetch, Axios) with copy button
  • Form data / file upload code generation
  • Saved response examples
  • Search/filter endpoints
  • Persistent URL (updates on re-share)
• Import from routes: One-click import endpoints from your project routes
• All data persisted in .4bnode/ JSON files (not localStorage)

Real-time - Socket.IO and WebSocket configuration

SerialPort - Serial port setup with path and baud rate config

Environment - View and edit .env.development and .env.production

Generated Project Structure

my-app/
├── index.js                    # Express app entry point
├── dev-api.js                  # Dev dashboard API (auto-included)
├── package.json
├── .env.development            # Dev environment variables
├── .env.production             # Production environment variables
├── .4bnode/                    # Dashboard data (tester, shared collections)
├── public/                     # Static files
│   ├── index.html              # Dashboard UI
│   ├── fonts/
│   └── images/
├── uploads/                    # File uploads (when using multer)
└── src/
    ├── db.js                   # MongoDB connection (after `add mongo`)
    ├── models/                 # Mongoose schemas
    ├── routes/                 # API route files
    └── middleware/
        └── auth.js             # JWT auth middleware (after `add login`)

Real-time Communication

Socket.IO

4bnode add socket

Access in routes via req.io:

router.get('/notify', (req, res) => {
  req.io.emit('message', 'Hello from server');
  res.json({ sent: true });
});

WebSocket

4bnode add websocket

Access in routes via req.wss:

router.get('/broadcast', (req, res) => {
  req.wss.clients.forEach(client => {
    if (client.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
      client.send('Hello from server');
    }
  });
  res.json({ sent: true });
});

Help

4bnode -h
4bnode --help

License

Proprietary License

(c) 2025 4Brains Technologies. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized copying, distribution, modification, or use of this code is strictly prohibited.

For licensing or commercial use: [email protected]