Can I get node --inspect to open Chrome automatically

Question

In the new versions of node, node-inspector is built in and can be fired using the command node --inspect index.js. However, this always provides a command line

Answer 1

Yes!! Use Node.js V8 --inspector Manager (NiM) Chrome plugin, it opens Chrome automagically when I run node --inspect-brk app

On a side note - debugging with Visual Studio Code has become a breeze

Answer 2

npm install express
npm install esm
npm install open
npm install --save-dev node-key-sender

package.json

{
  "name": "open-browser",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "browser",
  "main": "server.js",
  "type": "module",
  "scripts": {
    "esm": "node -r esm server.js"
  },
  "author": "",
  "license": "ISC",
  "dependencies": {
    "express": "^4.17.1",
    "esm": "^3.2.25",
    "open": "^7.0.0",
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "node-key-sender": "^1.0.11"
  }
}

server.js

import express from 'express'
import http from 'http'
import open from 'open'
import keysender from 'node-key-sender'

const webApp = express()
const webServer = http.createServer(webApp)

webServer.listen(3000, function(){
  console.log('> Server listening on port:',3000)
  open('http://localhost:3000')
  keysender.sendCombination(['control', 'shift', 'i'])
})

the browser must already be open, then run

node -r esm server.js

Answer 3

This is not possible, for multiple reasons.

1. Starting the Chrome (or other "desktop" application) is platform dependent. Core Node can't do it and it would add unnecessary complexity (e.g. think about discovering the install location, dealing with Chrome not installed, etc).
2. This would tie Node to Chrome, which is not desirable.
3. Chrome does not provide a way to pass devtools URL from the command line.