• Home
  • Line#
  • Scopes#
  • Navigate#
  • Raw
  • Download
1<!DOCTYPE html>
2<html lang="en">
3<head>
4  <meta charset="utf-8">
5  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">
6  <meta name="nodejs.org:node-version" content="v14.19.1">
7  <title>REPL | Node.js v14.19.1 Documentation</title>
8  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,700,400italic&display=fallback">
9  <link rel="stylesheet" href="assets/style.css">
10  <link rel="stylesheet" href="assets/hljs.css">
11  <link rel="canonical" href="https://nodejs.org/api/repl.html">
12</head>
13<body class="alt apidoc" id="api-section-repl">
14  <div id="content" class="clearfix">
15    <div id="column2" class="interior">
16      <div id="intro" class="interior">
17        <a href="/" title="Go back to the home page">
18          Node.js
19        </a>
20      </div>
21      <ul>
22<li><a href="documentation.html" class="nav-documentation">About this documentation</a></li>
23<li><a href="synopsis.html" class="nav-synopsis">Usage and example</a></li>
24</ul>
25<hr class="line">
26<ul>
27<li><a href="assert.html" class="nav-assert">Assertion testing</a></li>
28<li><a href="async_hooks.html" class="nav-async_hooks">Async hooks</a></li>
29<li><a href="buffer.html" class="nav-buffer">Buffer</a></li>
30<li><a href="addons.html" class="nav-addons">C++ addons</a></li>
31<li><a href="n-api.html" class="nav-n-api">C/C++ addons with Node-API</a></li>
32<li><a href="embedding.html" class="nav-embedding">C++ embedder API</a></li>
33<li><a href="child_process.html" class="nav-child_process">Child processes</a></li>
34<li><a href="cluster.html" class="nav-cluster">Cluster</a></li>
35<li><a href="cli.html" class="nav-cli">Command-line options</a></li>
36<li><a href="console.html" class="nav-console">Console</a></li>
37<li><a href="corepack.html" class="nav-corepack">Corepack</a></li>
38<li><a href="crypto.html" class="nav-crypto">Crypto</a></li>
39<li><a href="debugger.html" class="nav-debugger">Debugger</a></li>
40<li><a href="deprecations.html" class="nav-deprecations">Deprecated APIs</a></li>
41<li><a href="diagnostics_channel.html" class="nav-diagnostics_channel">Diagnostics Channel</a></li>
42<li><a href="dns.html" class="nav-dns">DNS</a></li>
43<li><a href="domain.html" class="nav-domain">Domain</a></li>
44<li><a href="errors.html" class="nav-errors">Errors</a></li>
45<li><a href="events.html" class="nav-events">Events</a></li>
46<li><a href="fs.html" class="nav-fs">File system</a></li>
47<li><a href="globals.html" class="nav-globals">Globals</a></li>
48<li><a href="http.html" class="nav-http">HTTP</a></li>
49<li><a href="http2.html" class="nav-http2">HTTP/2</a></li>
50<li><a href="https.html" class="nav-https">HTTPS</a></li>
51<li><a href="inspector.html" class="nav-inspector">Inspector</a></li>
52<li><a href="intl.html" class="nav-intl">Internationalization</a></li>
53<li><a href="modules.html" class="nav-modules">Modules: CommonJS modules</a></li>
54<li><a href="esm.html" class="nav-esm">Modules: ECMAScript modules</a></li>
55<li><a href="module.html" class="nav-module">Modules: <code>module</code> API</a></li>
56<li><a href="packages.html" class="nav-packages">Modules: Packages</a></li>
57<li><a href="net.html" class="nav-net">Net</a></li>
58<li><a href="os.html" class="nav-os">OS</a></li>
59<li><a href="path.html" class="nav-path">Path</a></li>
60<li><a href="perf_hooks.html" class="nav-perf_hooks">Performance hooks</a></li>
61<li><a href="policy.html" class="nav-policy">Policies</a></li>
62<li><a href="process.html" class="nav-process">Process</a></li>
63<li><a href="punycode.html" class="nav-punycode">Punycode</a></li>
64<li><a href="querystring.html" class="nav-querystring">Query strings</a></li>
65<li><a href="readline.html" class="nav-readline">Readline</a></li>
66<li><a href="repl.html" class="nav-repl active">REPL</a></li>
67<li><a href="report.html" class="nav-report">Report</a></li>
68<li><a href="stream.html" class="nav-stream">Stream</a></li>
69<li><a href="string_decoder.html" class="nav-string_decoder">String decoder</a></li>
70<li><a href="timers.html" class="nav-timers">Timers</a></li>
71<li><a href="tls.html" class="nav-tls">TLS/SSL</a></li>
72<li><a href="tracing.html" class="nav-tracing">Trace events</a></li>
73<li><a href="tty.html" class="nav-tty">TTY</a></li>
74<li><a href="dgram.html" class="nav-dgram">UDP/datagram</a></li>
75<li><a href="url.html" class="nav-url">URL</a></li>
76<li><a href="util.html" class="nav-util">Utilities</a></li>
77<li><a href="v8.html" class="nav-v8">V8</a></li>
78<li><a href="vm.html" class="nav-vm">VM</a></li>
79<li><a href="wasi.html" class="nav-wasi">WASI</a></li>
80<li><a href="worker_threads.html" class="nav-worker_threads">Worker threads</a></li>
81<li><a href="zlib.html" class="nav-zlib">Zlib</a></li>
82</ul>
83<hr class="line">
84<ul>
85<li><a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node" class="nav-https-github-com-nodejs-node">Code repository and issue tracker</a></li>
86</ul>
87    </div>
88
89    <div id="column1" data-id="repl" class="interior">
90      <header>
91        <div class="header-container">
92          <h1>Node.js v14.19.1 documentation</h1>
93          <button class="theme-toggle-btn" id="theme-toggle-btn" title="Toggle dark mode/light mode" aria-label="Toggle dark mode/light mode" hidden>
94            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon dark-icon" height="24" width="24">
95              <path fill="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" />
96              <path d="M11.1 12.08c-2.33-4.51-.5-8.48.53-10.07C6.27 2.2 1.98 6.59 1.98 12c0 .14.02.28.02.42.62-.27 1.29-.42 2-.42 1.66 0 3.18.83 4.1 2.15A4.01 4.01 0 0111 18c0 1.52-.87 2.83-2.12 3.51.98.32 2.03.5 3.11.5 3.5 0 6.58-1.8 8.37-4.52-2.36.23-6.98-.97-9.26-5.41z"/>
97              <path d="M7 16h-.18C6.4 14.84 5.3 14 4 14c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3s1.34 3 3 3h3c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2z"/>
98            </svg>
99            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon light-icon" height="24" width="24">
100              <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none" />
101              <path d="M6.76 4.84l-1.8-1.79-1.41 1.41 1.79 1.79 1.42-1.41zM4 10.5H1v2h3v-2zm9-9.95h-2V3.5h2V.55zm7.45 3.91l-1.41-1.41-1.79 1.79 1.41 1.41 1.79-1.79zm-3.21 13.7l1.79 1.8 1.41-1.41-1.8-1.79-1.4 1.4zM20 10.5v2h3v-2h-3zm-8-5c-3.31 0-6 2.69-6 6s2.69 6 6 6 6-2.69 6-6-2.69-6-6-6zm-1 16.95h2V19.5h-2v2.95zm-7.45-3.91l1.41 1.41 1.79-1.8-1.41-1.41-1.79 1.8z"/>
102            </svg>
103          </button>
104        </div>
105        <div id="gtoc">
106          <ul>
107            <li>
108              <a href="index.html">Index</a>
109            </li>
110            <li>
111              <a href="all.html">View on single page</a>
112            </li>
113            <li>
114              <a href="repl.json">View as JSON</a>
115            </li>
116
117    <li class="version-picker">
118      <a href="#">View another version <span>&#x25bc;</span></a>
119      <ol class="version-picker"><li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v17.x/api/repl.html">17.x</a></li>
120<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v16.x/api/repl.html">16.x <b>LTS</b></a></li>
121<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v15.x/api/repl.html">15.x</a></li>
122<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v14.x/api/repl.html">14.x <b>LTS</b></a></li>
123<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v13.x/api/repl.html">13.x</a></li>
124<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v12.x/api/repl.html">12.x <b>LTS</b></a></li>
125<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v11.x/api/repl.html">11.x</a></li>
126<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v10.x/api/repl.html">10.x</a></li>
127<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v9.x/api/repl.html">9.x</a></li>
128<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v8.x/api/repl.html">8.x</a></li>
129<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v7.x/api/repl.html">7.x</a></li>
130<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v6.x/api/repl.html">6.x</a></li>
131<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v5.x/api/repl.html">5.x</a></li>
132<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v4.x/api/repl.html">4.x</a></li>
133<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v0.12.x/api/repl.html">0.12.x</a></li>
134<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v0.10.x/api/repl.html">0.10.x</a></li></ol>
135    </li>
136
137            <li class="edit_on_github"><a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node/edit/master/doc/api/repl.md">Edit on GitHub</a></li>
138          </ul>
139        </div>
140        <hr>
141      </header>
142
143      <details id="toc" open><summary>Table of contents</summary><ul>
144<li><span class="stability_2"><a href="#repl_repl">REPL</a></span>
145<ul>
146<li><a href="#repl_design_and_features">Design and features</a>
147<ul>
148<li><a href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys">Commands and special keys</a></li>
149<li><a href="#repl_default_evaluation">Default evaluation</a>
150<ul>
151<li><a href="#repl_javascript_expressions">JavaScript expressions</a></li>
152<li><a href="#repl_global_and_local_scope">Global and local scope</a></li>
153<li><a href="#repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules">Accessing core Node.js modules</a></li>
154<li><a href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">Global uncaught exceptions</a></li>
155<li><a href="#repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable">Assignment of the <code>_</code> (underscore) variable</a></li>
156<li><a href="#repl_await_keyword"><code>await</code> keyword</a></li>
157</ul>
158</li>
159<li><a href="#repl_reverse_i_search">Reverse-i-search</a></li>
160<li><a href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions">Custom evaluation functions</a>
161<ul>
162<li><a href="#repl_recoverable_errors">Recoverable errors</a></li>
163</ul>
164</li>
165<li><a href="#repl_customizing_repl_output">Customizing REPL output</a></li>
166</ul>
167</li>
168<li><a href="#repl_class_replserver">Class: <code>REPLServer</code></a>
169<ul>
170<li><a href="#repl_event_exit">Event: <code>'exit'</code></a></li>
171<li><a href="#repl_event_reset">Event: <code>'reset'</code></a></li>
172<li><a href="#repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd"><code>replServer.defineCommand(keyword, cmd)</code></a></li>
173<li><a href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor"><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code></a></li>
174<li><a href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand"><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code></a></li>
175<li><span class="stability_0"><a href="#repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest"><code>replServer.parseREPLKeyword(keyword[, rest])</code></a></span></li>
176<li><a href="#repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback"><code>replServer.setupHistory(historyPath, callback)</code></a></li>
177</ul>
178</li>
179<li><a href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules"><code>repl.builtinModules</code></a></li>
180<li><a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start([options])</code></a></li>
181<li><a href="#repl_the_node_js_repl">The Node.js REPL</a>
182<ul>
183<li><a href="#repl_environment_variable_options">Environment variable options</a></li>
184<li><a href="#repl_persistent_history">Persistent history</a></li>
185<li><a href="#repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors">Using the Node.js REPL with advanced line-editors</a></li>
186<li><a href="#repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance">Starting multiple REPL instances against a single running instance</a></li>
187</ul>
188</li>
189</ul>
190</li>
191</ul></details>
192
193      <div id="apicontent">
194        <h2>REPL<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl" id="repl_repl">#</a></span></h2>
195
196<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_2"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 2</a> - Stable</div><p></p>
197<p><strong>Source Code:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v14.19.1/lib/repl.js">lib/repl.js</a></p>
198<p>The <code>repl</code> module provides a Read-Eval-Print-Loop (REPL) implementation that
199is available both as a standalone program or includible in other applications.
200It can be accessed using:</p>
201<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);</code></pre>
202<section><h3>Design and features<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_design_and_features" id="repl_design_and_features">#</a></span></h3>
203<p>The <code>repl</code> module exports the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> class. While running,
204instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> will accept individual lines of user input,
205evaluate those according to a user-defined evaluation function, then output the
206result. Input and output may be from <code>stdin</code> and <code>stdout</code>, respectively, or may
207be connected to any Node.js <a href="stream.html">stream</a>.</p>
208<p>Instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> support automatic completion of inputs,
209completion preview, simplistic Emacs-style line editing, multi-line inputs,
210<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>-like reverse-i-search, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>-like substring-based history search,
211ANSI-styled output, saving and restoring current REPL session state, error
212recovery, and customizable evaluation functions. Terminals that do not support
213ANSI styles and Emacs-style line editing automatically fall back to a limited
214feature set.</p>
215<h4>Commands and special keys<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys" id="repl_commands_and_special_keys">#</a></span></h4>
216<p>The following special commands are supported by all REPL instances:</p>
217<ul>
218<li><code>.break</code>: When in the process of inputting a multi-line expression, enter
219the <code>.break</code> command (or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>) to abort
220further input or processing of that expression.</li>
221<li><code>.clear</code>: Resets the REPL <code>context</code> to an empty object and clears any
222multi-line expression being input.</li>
223<li><code>.exit</code>: Close the I/O stream, causing the REPL to exit.</li>
224<li><code>.help</code>: Show this list of special commands.</li>
225<li><code>.save</code>: Save the current REPL session to a file:
226<code>> .save ./file/to/save.js</code></li>
227<li><code>.load</code>: Load a file into the current REPL session.
228<code>> .load ./file/to/load.js</code></li>
229<li><code>.editor</code>: Enter editor mode (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to finish,
230<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> to cancel).</li>
231</ul>
232<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.editor</span>
233// Entering editor mode (^D to finish, ^C to cancel)
234function welcome(name) {
235  return `Hello ${name}!`;
236}
237
238welcome('Node.js User');
239
240// ^D
241'Hello Node.js User!'
242<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
243<p>The following key combinations in the REPL have these special effects:</p>
244<ul>
245<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>: When pressed once, has the same effect as the
246<code>.break</code> command.
247When pressed twice on a blank line, has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code>
248command.</li>
249<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd>: Has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code> command.</li>
250<li><kbd>Tab</kbd>: When pressed on a blank line, displays global and local (scope)
251variables. When pressed while entering other input, displays relevant
252autocompletion options.</li>
253</ul>
254<p>For key bindings related to the reverse-i-search, see <a href="#repl_reverse_i_search"><code>reverse-i-search</code></a>.
255For all other key bindings, see <a href="readline.html#readline_tty_keybindings">TTY keybindings</a>.</p>
256<h4>Default evaluation<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_default_evaluation" id="repl_default_evaluation">#</a></span></h4>
257<p>By default, all instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> use an evaluation function
258that evaluates JavaScript expressions and provides access to Node.js built-in
259modules. This default behavior can be overridden by passing in an alternative
260evaluation function when the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance is created.</p>
261<h5>JavaScript expressions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_javascript_expressions" id="repl_javascript_expressions">#</a></span></h5>
262<p>The default evaluator supports direct evaluation of JavaScript expressions:</p>
263<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span>
2642
265<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = 2</span>
266undefined
267<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m + 1</span>
2683</code></pre>
269<p>Unless otherwise scoped within blocks or functions, variables declared
270either implicitly or using the <code>const</code>, <code>let</code>, or <code>var</code> keywords
271are declared at the global scope.</p>
272<h5>Global and local scope<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_and_local_scope" id="repl_global_and_local_scope">#</a></span></h5>
273<p>The default evaluator provides access to any variables that exist in the global
274scope. It is possible to expose a variable to the REPL explicitly by assigning
275it to the <code>context</code> object associated with each <code>REPLServer</code>:</p>
276<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
277<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>;
278
279repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>).<span class="hljs-property">context</span>.<span class="hljs-property">m</span> = msg;</code></pre>
280<p>Properties in the <code>context</code> object appear as local within the REPL:</p>
281<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node repl_test.js</span>
282<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
283'message'</code></pre>
284<p>Context properties are not read-only by default. To specify read-only globals,
285context properties must be defined using <code>Object.defineProperty()</code>:</p>
286<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
287<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>;
288
289<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>);
290<span class="hljs-title class_">Object</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineProperty</span>(r.<span class="hljs-property">context</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'m'</span>, {
291  <span class="hljs-attr">configurable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>,
292  <span class="hljs-attr">enumerable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span>,
293  <span class="hljs-attr">value</span>: msg
294});</code></pre>
295<h5>Accessing core Node.js modules<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules" id="repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules">#</a></span></h5>
296<p>The default evaluator will automatically load Node.js core modules into the
297REPL environment when used. For instance, unless otherwise declared as a
298global or scoped variable, the input <code>fs</code> will be evaluated on-demand as
299<code>global.fs = require('fs')</code>.</p>
300<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">fs.createReadStream(<span class="hljs-string">'./some/file'</span>);</span></code></pre>
301<h5>Global uncaught exceptions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions" id="repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">#</a></span></h5>
302<div class="api_metadata">
303<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
304<table>
305<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
306<tr><td>v12.3.0</td>
307<td><p>The <code>'uncaughtException'</code> event is from now on triggered if the repl is used as standalone program.</p></td></tr>
308</tbody></table>
309</details>
310</div>
311<p>The REPL uses the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module to catch all uncaught exceptions for that
312REPL session.</p>
313<p>This use of the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module in the REPL has these side effects:</p>
314<ul>
315<li>
316<p>Uncaught exceptions only emit the <a href="process.html#process_event_uncaughtexception"><code>'uncaughtException'</code></a> event in the
317standalone REPL. Adding a listener for this event in a REPL within
318another Node.js program results in <a href="errors.html#errors_err_invalid_repl_input"><code>ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT</code></a>.</p>
319<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>();
320
321r.<span class="hljs-title function_">write</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'process.on("uncaughtException", () => console.log("Foobar"));\n'</span>);
322<span class="hljs-comment">// Output stream includes:</span>
323<span class="hljs-comment">//   TypeError [ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT]: Listeners for `uncaughtException`</span>
324<span class="hljs-comment">//   cannot be used in the REPL</span>
325
326r.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>();</code></pre>
327</li>
328<li>
329<p>Trying to use <a href="process.html#process_process_setuncaughtexceptioncapturecallback_fn"><code>process.setUncaughtExceptionCaptureCallback()</code></a> throws
330an <a href="errors.html#errors_err_domain_cannot_set_uncaught_exception_capture"><code>ERR_DOMAIN_CANNOT_SET_UNCAUGHT_EXCEPTION_CAPTURE</code></a> error.</p>
331</li>
332</ul>
333<h5>Assignment of the <code>_</code> (underscore) variable<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable" id="repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable">#</a></span></h5>
334<div class="api_metadata">
335<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
336<table>
337<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
338<tr><td>v9.8.0</td>
339<td><p>Added <code>_error</code> support.</p></td></tr>
340</tbody></table>
341</details>
342</div>
343<p>The default evaluator will, by default, assign the result of the most recently
344evaluated expression to the special variable <code>_</code> (underscore).
345Explicitly setting <code>_</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p>
346<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">[ <span class="hljs-string">'a'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'b'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'c'</span> ]</span>
347[ 'a', 'b', 'c' ]
348<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_.length</span>
3493
350<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_ += 1</span>
351Expression assignment to _ now disabled.
3524
353<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span>
3542
355<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_</span>
3564</code></pre>
357<p>Similarly, <code>_error</code> will refer to the last seen error, if there was any.
358Explicitly setting <code>_error</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p>
359<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">throw new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'foo'</span>);</span>
360Error: foo
361<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_error.message</span>
362'foo'</code></pre>
363<h5><code>await</code> keyword<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_await_keyword" id="repl_await_keyword">#</a></span></h5>
364<p>With the <a href="cli.html#cli_experimental_repl_await"><code>--experimental-repl-await</code></a> command-line option specified,
365experimental support for the <code>await</code> keyword is enabled.</p>
366<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.resolve(123)</span>
367123
368<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.reject(new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'REPL await'</span>))</span>
369Error: REPL await
370    at repl:1:45
371<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const timeout = util.promisify(setTimeout);</span>
372undefined
373<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const old = Date.now(); await timeout(1000); console.log(Date.now() - old);</span>
3741002
375undefined</code></pre>
376<p>One known limitation of using the <code>await</code> keyword in the REPL is that
377it will invalidate the lexical scoping of the <code>const</code> and <code>let</code>
378keywords.</p>
379<p>For example:</p>
380<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(123)</span>
381undefined
382<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
383123
384<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(234)</span>
385undefined
386<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
387234</code></pre>
388<h4>Reverse-i-search<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_reverse_i_search" id="repl_reverse_i_search">#</a></span></h4>
389<div class="api_metadata">
390<span>Added in: v13.6.0</span>
391</div>
392<p>The REPL supports bi-directional reverse-i-search similar to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>. It is
393triggered with <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>R</kbd> to search backward and
394<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>S</kbd> to search
395forwards.</p>
396<p>Duplicated history entries will be skipped.</p>
397<p>Entries are accepted as soon as any key is pressed that doesn't correspond
398with the reverse search. Cancelling is possible by pressing <kbd>Esc</kbd> or
399<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>.</p>
400<p>Changing the direction immediately searches for the next entry in the expected
401direction from the current position on.</p>
402<h4>Custom evaluation functions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions" id="repl_custom_evaluation_functions">#</a></span></h4>
403<p>When a new <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> is created, a custom evaluation function may be
404provided. This can be used, for instance, to implement fully customized REPL
405applications.</p>
406<p>The following illustrates a hypothetical example of a REPL that performs
407translation of text from one language to another:</p>
408<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
409<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> { <span class="hljs-title class_">Translator</span> } = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'translator'</span>);
410
411<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> myTranslator = <span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> <span class="hljs-title class_">Translator</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'en'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'fr'</span>);
412
413<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) {
414  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, myTranslator.<span class="hljs-title function_">translate</span>(cmd));
415}
416
417repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>, <span class="hljs-attr">eval</span>: myEval });</code></pre>
418<h5>Recoverable errors<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_recoverable_errors" id="repl_recoverable_errors">#</a></span></h5>
419<p>At the REPL prompt, pressing <kbd>Enter</kbd> sends the current line of input to
420the <code>eval</code> function. In order to support multi-line input, the <code>eval</code> function
421can return an instance of <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to the provided callback function:</p>
422<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) {
423  <span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> result;
424  <span class="hljs-keyword">try</span> {
425    result = vm.<span class="hljs-title function_">runInThisContext</span>(cmd);
426  } <span class="hljs-keyword">catch</span> (e) {
427    <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (<span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(e)) {
428      <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> repl.<span class="hljs-title class_">Recoverable</span>(e));
429    }
430  }
431  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, result);
432}
433
434<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(<span class="hljs-params">error</span>) {
435  <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (error.<span class="hljs-property">name</span> === <span class="hljs-string">'SyntaxError'</span>) {
436    <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-regexp">/^(Unexpected end of input|Unexpected token)/</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">test</span>(error.<span class="hljs-property">message</span>);
437  }
438  <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>;
439}</code></pre>
440<h4>Customizing REPL output<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_customizing_repl_output" id="repl_customizing_repl_output">#</a></span></h4>
441<p>By default, <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instances format output using the
442<a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a> method before writing the output to the provided <code>Writable</code>
443stream (<code>process.stdout</code> by default). The <code>showProxy</code> inspection option is set
444to true by default and the <code>colors</code> option is set to true depending on the
445REPL's <code>useColors</code> option.</p>
446<p>The <code>useColors</code> boolean option can be specified at construction to instruct the
447default writer to use ANSI style codes to colorize the output from the
448<code>util.inspect()</code> method.</p>
449<p>If the REPL is run as standalone program, it is also possible to change the
450REPL's <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options">inspection defaults</a> from inside the REPL by using the
451<code>inspect.replDefaults</code> property which mirrors the <code>defaultOptions</code> from
452<a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</p>
453<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">util.inspect.replDefaults.compact = <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>;</span>
454false
455<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">[1]</span>
456[
457  1
458]
459<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
460<p>To fully customize the output of a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance pass in a new
461function for the <code>writer</code> option on construction. The following example, for
462instance, simply converts any input text to upper case:</p>
463<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
464
465<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>, <span class="hljs-attr">eval</span>: myEval, <span class="hljs-attr">writer</span>: myWriter });
466
467<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) {
468  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, cmd);
469}
470
471<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myWriter</span>(<span class="hljs-params">output</span>) {
472  <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> output.<span class="hljs-title function_">toUpperCase</span>();
473}</code></pre>
474</section><section><h3>Class: <code>REPLServer</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_class_replserver" id="repl_class_replserver">#</a></span></h3>
475<div class="api_metadata">
476<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span>
477</div>
478<ul>
479<li><code>options</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type">&#x3C;Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> See <a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start()</code></a></li>
480<li>Extends: <a href="readline.html#readline_class_interface" class="type">&#x3C;readline.Interface></a></li>
481</ul>
482<p>Instances of <code>repl.REPLServer</code> are created using the <a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start()</code></a> method
483or directly using the JavaScript <code>new</code> keyword.</p>
484<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
485
486<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> options = { <span class="hljs-attr">useColors</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span> };
487
488<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> firstInstance = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(options);
489<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> secondInstance = <span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">REPLServer</span>(options);</code></pre>
490<h4>Event: <code>'exit'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_exit" id="repl_event_exit">#</a></span></h4>
491<div class="api_metadata">
492<span>Added in: v0.7.7</span>
493</div>
494<p>The <code>'exit'</code> event is emitted when the REPL is exited either by receiving the
495<code>.exit</code> command as input, the user pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> twice
496to signal <code>SIGINT</code>,
497or by pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to signal <code>'end'</code> on the input
498stream. The listener
499callback is invoked without any arguments.</p>
500<pre><code class="language-js">replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
501  <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Received "exit" event from repl!'</span>);
502  process.<span class="hljs-title function_">exit</span>();
503});</code></pre>
504<h4>Event: <code>'reset'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_reset" id="repl_event_reset">#</a></span></h4>
505<div class="api_metadata">
506<span>Added in: v0.11.0</span>
507</div>
508<p>The <code>'reset'</code> event is emitted when the REPL's context is reset. This occurs
509whenever the <code>.clear</code> command is received as input <em>unless</em> the REPL is using
510the default evaluator and the <code>repl.REPLServer</code> instance was created with the
511<code>useGlobal</code> option set to <code>true</code>. The listener callback will be called with a
512reference to the <code>context</code> object as the only argument.</p>
513<p>This can be used primarily to re-initialize REPL context to some pre-defined
514state:</p>
515<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
516
517<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(<span class="hljs-params">context</span>) {
518  context.<span class="hljs-property">m</span> = <span class="hljs-string">'test'</span>;
519}
520
521<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span> });
522<span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(r.<span class="hljs-property">context</span>);
523
524r.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'reset'</span>, initializeContext);</code></pre>
525<p>When this code is executed, the global <code>'m'</code> variable can be modified but then
526reset to its initial value using the <code>.clear</code> command:</p>
527<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">./node example.js</span>
528<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
529'test'
530<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m = 1</span>
5311
532<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
5331
534<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.clear</span>
535Clearing context...
536<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
537'test'
538<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
539<h4><code>replServer.defineCommand(keyword, cmd)</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd" id="repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd">#</a></span></h4>
540<div class="api_metadata">
541<span>Added in: v0.3.0</span>
542</div>
543<ul>
544<li><code>keyword</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> The command keyword (<em>without</em> a leading <code>.</code> character).</li>
545<li><code>cmd</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type">&#x3C;Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> The function to invoke when the command is processed.</li>
546</ul>
547<p>The <code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method is used to add new <code>.</code>-prefixed commands
548to the REPL instance. Such commands are invoked by typing a <code>.</code> followed by the
549<code>keyword</code>. The <code>cmd</code> is either a <code>Function</code> or an <code>Object</code> with the following
550properties:</p>
551<ul>
552<li><code>help</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> Help text to be displayed when <code>.help</code> is entered (Optional).</li>
553<li><code>action</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> The function to execute, optionally accepting a single
554string argument.</li>
555</ul>
556<p>The following example shows two new commands added to the REPL instance:</p>
557<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
558
559<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> replServer = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span> });
560replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineCommand</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'sayhello'</span>, {
561  <span class="hljs-attr">help</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Say hello'</span>,
562  <span class="hljs-title function_">action</span>(<span class="hljs-params">name</span>) {
563    <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">clearBufferedCommand</span>();
564    <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">`Hello, <span class="hljs-subst">${name}</span>!`</span>);
565    <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">displayPrompt</span>();
566  }
567});
568replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineCommand</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'saybye'</span>, <span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">saybye</span>(<span class="hljs-params"></span>) {
569  <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Goodbye!'</span>);
570  <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>();
571});</code></pre>
572<p>The new commands can then be used from within the REPL instance:</p>
573<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.sayhello Node.js User</span>
574Hello, Node.js User!
575<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.saybye</span>
576Goodbye!</code></pre>
577<h4><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor" id="repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor">#</a></span></h4>
578<div class="api_metadata">
579<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span>
580</div>
581<ul>
582<li><code>preserveCursor</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a></li>
583</ul>
584<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt()</code> method readies the REPL instance for input
585from the user, printing the configured <code>prompt</code> to a new line in the <code>output</code>
586and resuming the <code>input</code> to accept new input.</p>
587<p>When multi-line input is being entered, an ellipsis is printed rather than the
588'prompt'.</p>
589<p>When <code>preserveCursor</code> is <code>true</code>, the cursor placement will not be reset to <code>0</code>.</p>
590<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt</code> method is primarily intended to be called from
591within the action function for commands registered using the
592<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p>
593<h4><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand" id="repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand">#</a></span></h4>
594<div class="api_metadata">
595<span>Added in: v9.0.0</span>
596</div>
597<p>The <code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code> method clears any command that has been
598buffered but not yet executed. This method is primarily intended to be
599called from within the action function for commands registered using the
600<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p>
601<h4><code>replServer.parseREPLKeyword(keyword[, rest])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest" id="repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest">#</a></span></h4>
602<div class="api_metadata">
603<span>Added in: v0.8.9</span><span>Deprecated since: v9.0.0</span>
604</div>
605<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_0"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 0</a> - Deprecated.</div><p></p>
606<ul>
607<li><code>keyword</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> the potential keyword to parse and execute</li>
608<li><code>rest</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Data_types" class="type">&#x3C;any></a> any parameters to the keyword command</li>
609<li>Returns: <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a></li>
610</ul>
611<p>An internal method used to parse and execute <code>REPLServer</code> keywords.
612Returns <code>true</code> if <code>keyword</code> is a valid keyword, otherwise <code>false</code>.</p>
613<h4><code>replServer.setupHistory(historyPath, callback)</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback" id="repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback">#</a></span></h4>
614<div class="api_metadata">
615<span>Added in: v11.10.0</span>
616</div>
617<ul>
618<li><code>historyPath</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> the path to the history file</li>
619<li><code>callback</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> called when history writes are ready or upon error
620<ul>
621<li><code>err</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error" class="type">&#x3C;Error></a></li>
622<li><code>repl</code> <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type">&#x3C;repl.REPLServer></a></li>
623</ul>
624</li>
625</ul>
626<p>Initializes a history log file for the REPL instance. When executing the
627Node.js binary and using the command-line REPL, a history file is initialized
628by default. However, this is not the case when creating a REPL
629programmatically. Use this method to initialize a history log file when working
630with REPL instances programmatically.</p>
631</section><section><h3><code>repl.builtinModules</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules" id="repl_repl_builtinmodules">#</a></span></h3>
632<div class="api_metadata">
633<span>Added in: v14.5.0</span>
634</div>
635<ul>
636<li><a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string[]></a></li>
637</ul>
638<p>A list of the names of all Node.js modules, e.g., <code>'http'</code>.</p>
639</section><section><h3><code>repl.start([options])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl_start_options" id="repl_repl_start_options">#</a></span></h3>
640<div class="api_metadata">
641<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
642<table>
643<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
644<tr><td>v13.4.0</td>
645<td><p>The <code>preview</code> option is now available.</p></td></tr>
646<tr><td>v12.0.0</td>
647<td><p>The <code>terminal</code> option now follows the default description in all cases and <code>useColors</code> checks <code>hasColors()</code> if available.</p></td></tr>
648<tr><td>v10.0.0</td>
649<td><p>The <code>REPL_MAGIC_MODE</code> <code>replMode</code> was removed.</p></td></tr>
650<tr><td>v6.3.0</td>
651<td><p>The <code>breakEvalOnSigint</code> option is supported now.</p></td></tr>
652<tr><td>v5.8.0</td>
653<td><p>The <code>options</code> parameter is optional now.</p></td></tr>
654<tr><td>v0.1.91</td>
655<td><p><span>Added in: v0.1.91</span></p></td></tr>
656</tbody></table>
657</details>
658</div>
659<ul>
660<li><code>options</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type">&#x3C;Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a>
661<ul>
662<li><code>prompt</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string></a> The input prompt to display. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>'> '</code>
663(with a trailing space).</li>
664<li><code>input</code> <a href="stream.html#stream_class_stream_readable" class="type">&#x3C;stream.Readable></a> The <code>Readable</code> stream from which REPL input will
665be read. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdin</code>.</li>
666<li><code>output</code> <a href="stream.html#stream_class_stream_writable" class="type">&#x3C;stream.Writable></a> The <code>Writable</code> stream to which REPL output will
667be written. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdout</code>.</li>
668<li><code>terminal</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the <code>output</code> should be
669treated as a TTY terminal.
670<strong>Default:</strong> checking the value of the <code>isTTY</code> property on the <code>output</code>
671stream upon instantiation.</li>
672<li><code>eval</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> The function to be used when evaluating each given line
673of input. <strong>Default:</strong> an async wrapper for the JavaScript <code>eval()</code>
674function. An <code>eval</code> function can error with <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to indicate
675the input was incomplete and prompt for additional lines.</li>
676<li><code>useColors</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default <code>writer</code>
677function should include ANSI color styling to REPL output. If a custom
678<code>writer</code> function is provided then this has no effect. <strong>Default:</strong> checking
679color support on the <code>output</code> stream if the REPL instance's <code>terminal</code> value
680is <code>true</code>.</li>
681<li><code>useGlobal</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default evaluation
682function will use the JavaScript <code>global</code> as the context as opposed to
683creating a new separate context for the REPL instance. The node CLI REPL
684sets this value to <code>true</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
685<li><code>ignoreUndefined</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default writer
686will not output the return value of a command if it evaluates to
687<code>undefined</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
688<li><code>writer</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> The function to invoke to format the output of each
689command before writing to <code>output</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</li>
690<li><code>completer</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type">&#x3C;Function></a> An optional function used for custom Tab auto
691completion. See <a href="readline.html#readline_use_of_the_completer_function"><code>readline.InterfaceCompleter</code></a> for an example.</li>
692<li><code>replMode</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Symbol_type" class="type">&#x3C;symbol></a> A flag that specifies whether the default evaluator
693executes all JavaScript commands in strict mode or default (sloppy) mode.
694Acceptable values are:
695<ul>
696<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_SLOPPY</code> to evaluate expressions in sloppy mode.</li>
697<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT</code> to evaluate expressions in strict mode. This is
698equivalent to prefacing every repl statement with <code>'use strict'</code>.</li>
699</ul>
700</li>
701<li><code>breakEvalOnSigint</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> Stop evaluating the current piece of code when
702<code>SIGINT</code> is received, such as when <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> is pressed.
703This cannot be used
704together with a custom <code>eval</code> function. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
705<li><code>preview</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a> Defines if the repl prints autocomplete and output
706previews or not. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>true</code> with the default eval function and
707<code>false</code> in case a custom eval function is used. If <code>terminal</code> is falsy, then
708there are no previews and the value of <code>preview</code> has no effect.</li>
709</ul>
710</li>
711<li>Returns: <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type">&#x3C;repl.REPLServer></a></li>
712</ul>
713<p>The <code>repl.start()</code> method creates and starts a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance.</p>
714<p>If <code>options</code> is a string, then it specifies the input prompt:</p>
715<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
716
717<span class="hljs-comment">// a Unix style prompt</span>
718repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'$ '</span>);</code></pre>
719</section><section><h3>The Node.js REPL<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_the_node_js_repl" id="repl_the_node_js_repl">#</a></span></h3>
720<p>Node.js itself uses the <code>repl</code> module to provide its own interactive interface
721for executing JavaScript. This can be used by executing the Node.js binary
722without passing any arguments (or by passing the <code>-i</code> argument):</p>
723<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node</span>
724<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const a = [1, 2, 3];</span>
725undefined
726<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a</span>
727[ 1, 2, 3 ]
728<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a.forEach((v) => {</span>
729...   console.log(v);
730...   });
7311
7322
7333</code></pre>
734<h4>Environment variable options<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_environment_variable_options" id="repl_environment_variable_options">#</a></span></h4>
735<p>Various behaviors of the Node.js REPL can be customized using the following
736environment variables:</p>
737<ul>
738<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY</code>: When a valid path is given, persistent REPL history
739will be saved to the specified file rather than <code>.node_repl_history</code> in the
740user's home directory. Setting this value to <code>''</code> (an empty string) will
741disable persistent REPL history. Whitespace will be trimmed from the value.
742On Windows platforms environment variables with empty values are invalid so
743set this variable to one or more spaces to disable persistent REPL history.</li>
744<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY_SIZE</code>: Controls how many lines of history will be
745persisted if history is available. Must be a positive number.
746<strong>Default:</strong> <code>1000</code>.</li>
747<li><code>NODE_REPL_MODE</code>: May be either <code>'sloppy'</code> or <code>'strict'</code>. <strong>Default:</strong>
748<code>'sloppy'</code>, which will allow non-strict mode code to be run.</li>
749</ul>
750<h4>Persistent history<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_persistent_history" id="repl_persistent_history">#</a></span></h4>
751<p>By default, the Node.js REPL will persist history between <code>node</code> REPL sessions
752by saving inputs to a <code>.node_repl_history</code> file located in the user's home
753directory. This can be disabled by setting the environment variable
754<code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY=''</code>.</p>
755<h4>Using the Node.js REPL with advanced line-editors<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors" id="repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors">#</a></span></h4>
756<p>For advanced line-editors, start Node.js with the environment variable
757<code>NODE_NO_READLINE=1</code>. This will start the main and debugger REPL in canonical
758terminal settings, which will allow use with <code>rlwrap</code>.</p>
759<p>For example, the following can be added to a <code>.bashrc</code> file:</p>
760<pre><code class="language-text">alias node="env NODE_NO_READLINE=1 rlwrap node"</code></pre>
761<h4>Starting multiple REPL instances against a single running instance<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance" id="repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance">#</a></span></h4>
762<p>It is possible to create and run multiple REPL instances against a single
763running instance of Node.js that share a single <code>global</code> object but have
764separate I/O interfaces.</p>
765<p>The following example, for instance, provides separate REPLs on <code>stdin</code>, a Unix
766socket, and a TCP socket:</p>
767<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> net = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'net'</span>);
768<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
769<span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> connections = <span class="hljs-number">0</span>;
770
771repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
772  <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via stdin> '</span>,
773  <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdin</span>,
774  <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdout</span>
775});
776
777net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> {
778  connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>;
779  repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
780    <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via Unix socket> '</span>,
781    <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket,
782    <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket
783  }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
784    socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>();
785  });
786}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'/tmp/node-repl-sock'</span>);
787
788net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> {
789  connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>;
790  repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
791    <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via TCP socket> '</span>,
792    <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket,
793    <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket
794  }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
795    socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>();
796  });
797}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-number">5001</span>);</code></pre>
798<p>Running this application from the command line will start a REPL on stdin.
799Other REPL clients may connect through the Unix socket or TCP socket. <code>telnet</code>,
800for instance, is useful for connecting to TCP sockets, while <code>socat</code> can be used
801to connect to both Unix and TCP sockets.</p>
802<p>By starting a REPL from a Unix socket-based server instead of stdin, it is
803possible to connect to a long-running Node.js process without restarting it.</p>
804<p>For an example of running a "full-featured" (<code>terminal</code>) REPL over
805a <code>net.Server</code> and <code>net.Socket</code> instance, see:
806<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310</a>.</p>
807<p>For an example of running a REPL instance over <a href="https://curl.haxx.se/docs/manpage.html"><code>curl(1)</code></a>, see:
808<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342</a>.</p></section>
809        <!-- API END -->
810      </div>
811    </div>
812  </div>
813  <script>
814    'use strict';
815    {
816      const kCustomPreference = 'customDarkTheme';
817      const userSettings = sessionStorage.getItem(kCustomPreference);
818      const themeToggleButton = document.getElementById('theme-toggle-btn');
819      if (userSettings === null && window.matchMedia) {
820        const mq = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)');
821        if ('onchange' in mq) {
822          function mqChangeListener(e) {
823            document.body.classList.toggle('dark-mode', e.matches);
824          }
825          mq.addEventListener('change', mqChangeListener);
826          if (themeToggleButton) {
827            themeToggleButton.addEventListener('click', function() {
828              mq.removeEventListener('change', mqChangeListener);
829            }, { once: true });
830          }
831        }
832        if (mq.matches) {
833          document.body.classList.add('dark-mode');
834        }
835      } else if (userSettings === 'true') {
836        document.body.classList.add('dark-mode');
837      }
838      if (themeToggleButton) {
839        themeToggleButton.hidden = false;
840        themeToggleButton.addEventListener('click', function() {
841          sessionStorage.setItem(
842            kCustomPreference,
843            document.body.classList.toggle('dark-mode')
844          );
845        });
846      }
847    }
848  </script>
849</body>
850</html>
851