env-reloader

🚀 env-reloader is a lightweight CLI tool that automatically restarts your Node.js server whenever the .env file changes. Perfect for development environments where you frequently update environment variables.

✨ Features

• 📂 Watches .env file for changes
• ⚡ Automatically restarts your Node.js / TypeScript server
• 🎯 Lightweight & easy to use
• 🖥 Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux

📦 Installation

Install globally:

npm install -g env-reloader

Or install locally (for project-specific use):

npm install --save-dev env-reloader

🛠 Usage (JavaScript)

1️⃣ Create a .env file

PORT=3000
MESSAGE=Hello from env-reloader!

2️⃣ Create a test server (server.js)

require('dotenv').config();

console.log("Server running with PORT:", process.env.PORT);
console.log("Message:", process.env.MESSAGE);

3️⃣ Add script in package.json (if installed locally)

"scripts": {
  "dev": "env-reloader server.js"
}

4️⃣ Run the server

If installed globally:

env-reloader server.js

If installed locally (via npm script):

npm run dev

🛠 Usage (TypeScript)

1️⃣ Install ts-node and typescript in your project:

npm install --save-dev ts-node typescript

2️⃣ Create a test server (server.ts):

import dotenv from "dotenv";
dotenv.config();

console.log("Server running with PORT:", process.env.PORT);
console.log("Message:", process.env.MESSAGE);

3️⃣ Run with env-reloader:

env-reloader src/server.ts

👉 It will automatically use ts-node if available.

🔄 How it Works

• Starts your server (.js with Node OR .ts with ts-node)

• Watches the .env file for changes

• On .env change:

  • Stops the server
  • Reloads .env
  • Restarts the server

📌 Example Workflow

1. Run your project with env-reloader server.js (or server.ts)

2. Change something in .env:

   PORT=4000
   MESSAGE=Updated message!

3. The server automatically restarts and loads the new values without manual intervention.