Depxbox: Test Dependencies Quickly

Depxbox is a handy tool that makes testing npm packages super quick and easy. Whether you're trying out a new library or just need to debug something, depxbox takes care of the setup so you can jump straight into testing.

How It Works

Want to explore the moment library? Just run:

npx depxbox moment -d

That’s it! This command opens a terminal session where moment is already loaded. You can instantly try out methods, experiment, and see results right away.

Here’s how you can add this example to demonstrate using moment in a Node.js REPL session:

Using moment in Node.js REPL Session

sandbox> moment()
Moment<2025-01-01T17:09:02+05:30>

sandbox> moment().format()
'2025-01-01T17:09:14+05:30'

sandbox> moment().startOf('day')
Moment<2025-01-01T00:00:00+05:30>

This example showcases how you can use moment for quick date manipulations directly within a REPL session.

Alternatively, to create a repo with all the dependencies, simply run:

npx depxbox moment -m playground

Depxbox will create a new repository with moment installed in directory.

Why Use Depxbox?

• Instant Setup: It creates a sandboxed environment with your chosen dependency, so you don’t have to mess with your existing project.
• Built-in REPL Mode: Spin up a terminal session with the dependency preloaded. Test things out in real time without writing extra boilerplate code.
• Create a Repo with All Dependencies: You can also use depxbox to generate a repository with all the packages you want installed, making it easy to start a project.
• Safe to Use: Play around with packages risk-free—your current project stays untouched.

Who Can Use Depxbox?

• Curious developers exploring new npm packages.
• Teams debugging dependency issues without cluttering their repo.
• Anyone who loves a quick and clean way to test libraries.

Stop wasting time setting things up manually. With depxbox, you get a ready-to-go environment in seconds.

Try It Out

npx depxbox <dependency-name> -d

Installation

Depxbox can be used directly via npx. No installation is required:

npx depxbox <packages...>

Or you can install it globally:

npm install -g depxbox

Usage

Basic Usage

Test npm packages interactively:

npx depxbox lodash axios

Options

| Option | Description | Example | | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | -m, --mode <type> | Set execution mode (repl/playground) | --mode playground | | -p, --path <path> | Custom installation directory | --path ./sandbox | | -d, --default | Skip prompts, use defaults | --default |

Examples

REPL Mode

Run lodash in REPL mode:

npx depxbox lodash --mode repl

Playground Mode

Create a sandbox to test axios in a separate directory:

npx depxbox lodash --mode playground

Custom Installation Path

npx depxbox lodash --path ./sandbox --mode repl

Default Config

npx depxbox lodash --default

Repository

Check out the source code or contribute at: GitHub Repository

Author

Created by Rupesh Garhwal.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Enjoy sandboxing your dependencies with Depxbox!