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143
144      <details id="toc" open><summary>Table of contents</summary><ul>
145<li><span class="stability_2"><a href="#repl_repl">REPL</a></span>
146<ul>
147<li><a href="#repl_design_and_features">Design and features</a>
148<ul>
149<li><a href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys">Commands and special keys</a></li>
150<li><a href="#repl_default_evaluation">Default evaluation</a>
151<ul>
152<li><a href="#repl_javascript_expressions">JavaScript expressions</a></li>
153<li><a href="#repl_global_and_local_scope">Global and local scope</a></li>
154<li><a href="#repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules">Accessing core Node.js modules</a></li>
155<li><a href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">Global uncaught exceptions</a></li>
156<li><a href="#repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable">Assignment of the <code>_</code> (underscore) variable</a></li>
157<li><a href="#repl_await_keyword"><code>await</code> keyword</a></li>
158</ul>
159</li>
160<li><a href="#repl_reverse_i_search">Reverse-i-search</a></li>
161<li><a href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions">Custom evaluation functions</a>
162<ul>
163<li><a href="#repl_recoverable_errors">Recoverable errors</a></li>
164</ul>
165</li>
166<li><a href="#repl_customizing_repl_output">Customizing REPL output</a></li>
167</ul>
168</li>
169<li><a href="#repl_class_replserver">Class: <code>REPLServer</code></a>
170<ul>
171<li><a href="#repl_event_exit">Event: <code>'exit'</code></a></li>
172<li><a href="#repl_event_reset">Event: <code>'reset'</code></a></li>
173<li><a href="#repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd"><code>replServer.defineCommand(keyword, cmd)</code></a></li>
174<li><a href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor"><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code></a></li>
175<li><a href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand"><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code></a></li>
176<li><span class="stability_0"><a href="#repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest"><code>replServer.parseREPLKeyword(keyword[, rest])</code></a></span></li>
177<li><a href="#repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback"><code>replServer.setupHistory(historyPath, callback)</code></a></li>
178</ul>
179</li>
180<li><a href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules"><code>repl.builtinModules</code></a></li>
181<li><a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start([options])</code></a></li>
182<li><a href="#repl_the_node_js_repl">The Node.js REPL</a>
183<ul>
184<li><a href="#repl_environment_variable_options">Environment variable options</a></li>
185<li><a href="#repl_persistent_history">Persistent history</a></li>
186<li><a href="#repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors">Using the Node.js REPL with advanced line-editors</a></li>
187<li><a href="#repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance">Starting multiple REPL instances against a single running instance</a></li>
188</ul>
189</li>
190</ul>
191</li>
192</ul></details>
193
194      <div id="apicontent">
195        <h2>REPL<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl" id="repl_repl">#</a></span></h2>
196
197<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_2"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 2</a> - Stable</div><p></p>
198<p><strong>Source Code:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v14.20.1/lib/repl.js">lib/repl.js</a></p>
199<p>The <code>repl</code> module provides a Read-Eval-Print-Loop (REPL) implementation that
200is available both as a standalone program or includible in other applications.
201It can be accessed using:</p>
202<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>
203<section><h3>Design and features<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_design_and_features" id="repl_design_and_features">#</a></span></h3>
204<p>The <code>repl</code> module exports the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> class. While running,
205instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> will accept individual lines of user input,
206evaluate those according to a user-defined evaluation function, then output the
207result. Input and output may be from <code>stdin</code> and <code>stdout</code>, respectively, or may
208be connected to any Node.js <a href="stream.html">stream</a>.</p>
209<p>Instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> support automatic completion of inputs,
210completion preview, simplistic Emacs-style line editing, multi-line inputs,
211<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,
212ANSI-styled output, saving and restoring current REPL session state, error
213recovery, and customizable evaluation functions. Terminals that do not support
214ANSI styles and Emacs-style line editing automatically fall back to a limited
215feature set.</p>
216<h4>Commands and special keys<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys" id="repl_commands_and_special_keys">#</a></span></h4>
217<p>The following special commands are supported by all REPL instances:</p>
218<ul>
219<li><code>.break</code>: When in the process of inputting a multi-line expression, enter
220the <code>.break</code> command (or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>) to abort
221further input or processing of that expression.</li>
222<li><code>.clear</code>: Resets the REPL <code>context</code> to an empty object and clears any
223multi-line expression being input.</li>
224<li><code>.exit</code>: Close the I/O stream, causing the REPL to exit.</li>
225<li><code>.help</code>: Show this list of special commands.</li>
226<li><code>.save</code>: Save the current REPL session to a file:
227<code>> .save ./file/to/save.js</code></li>
228<li><code>.load</code>: Load a file into the current REPL session.
229<code>> .load ./file/to/load.js</code></li>
230<li><code>.editor</code>: Enter editor mode (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to finish,
231<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> to cancel).</li>
232</ul>
233<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.editor</span>
234// Entering editor mode (^D to finish, ^C to cancel)
235function welcome(name) {
236  return `Hello ${name}!`;
237}
238
239welcome('Node.js User');
240
241// ^D
242'Hello Node.js User!'
243<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
244<p>The following key combinations in the REPL have these special effects:</p>
245<ul>
246<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>: When pressed once, has the same effect as the
247<code>.break</code> command.
248When pressed twice on a blank line, has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code>
249command.</li>
250<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd>: Has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code> command.</li>
251<li><kbd>Tab</kbd>: When pressed on a blank line, displays global and local (scope)
252variables. When pressed while entering other input, displays relevant
253autocompletion options.</li>
254</ul>
255<p>For key bindings related to the reverse-i-search, see <a href="#repl_reverse_i_search"><code>reverse-i-search</code></a>.
256For all other key bindings, see <a href="readline.html#readline_tty_keybindings">TTY keybindings</a>.</p>
257<h4>Default evaluation<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_default_evaluation" id="repl_default_evaluation">#</a></span></h4>
258<p>By default, all instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> use an evaluation function
259that evaluates JavaScript expressions and provides access to Node.js built-in
260modules. This default behavior can be overridden by passing in an alternative
261evaluation function when the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance is created.</p>
262<h5>JavaScript expressions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_javascript_expressions" id="repl_javascript_expressions">#</a></span></h5>
263<p>The default evaluator supports direct evaluation of JavaScript expressions:</p>
264<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span>
2652
266<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = 2</span>
267undefined
268<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m + 1</span>
2693</code></pre>
270<p>Unless otherwise scoped within blocks or functions, variables declared
271either implicitly or using the <code>const</code>, <code>let</code>, or <code>var</code> keywords
272are declared at the global scope.</p>
273<h5>Global and local scope<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_and_local_scope" id="repl_global_and_local_scope">#</a></span></h5>
274<p>The default evaluator provides access to any variables that exist in the global
275scope. It is possible to expose a variable to the REPL explicitly by assigning
276it to the <code>context</code> object associated with each <code>REPLServer</code>:</p>
277<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>);
278<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>;
279
280repl.<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>
281<p>Properties in the <code>context</code> object appear as local within the REPL:</p>
282<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node repl_test.js</span>
283<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
284'message'</code></pre>
285<p>Context properties are not read-only by default. To specify read-only globals,
286context properties must be defined using <code>Object.defineProperty()</code>:</p>
287<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>);
288<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>;
289
290<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>);
291<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>, {
292  <span class="hljs-attr">configurable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>,
293  <span class="hljs-attr">enumerable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span>,
294  <span class="hljs-attr">value</span>: msg
295});</code></pre>
296<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>
297<p>The default evaluator will automatically load Node.js core modules into the
298REPL environment when used. For instance, unless otherwise declared as a
299global or scoped variable, the input <code>fs</code> will be evaluated on-demand as
300<code>global.fs = require('fs')</code>.</p>
301<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>
302<h5>Global uncaught exceptions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions" id="repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">#</a></span></h5>
303<div class="api_metadata">
304<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
305<table>
306<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
307<tr><td>v12.3.0</td>
308<td><p>The <code>'uncaughtException'</code> event is from now on triggered if the repl is used as standalone program.</p></td></tr>
309</tbody></table>
310</details>
311</div>
312<p>The REPL uses the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module to catch all uncaught exceptions for that
313REPL session.</p>
314<p>This use of the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module in the REPL has these side effects:</p>
315<ul>
316<li>
317<p>Uncaught exceptions only emit the <a href="process.html#process_event_uncaughtexception"><code>'uncaughtException'</code></a> event in the
318standalone REPL. Adding a listener for this event in a REPL within
319another Node.js program results in <a href="errors.html#errors_err_invalid_repl_input"><code>ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT</code></a>.</p>
320<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>();
321
322r.<span class="hljs-title function_">write</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'process.on("uncaughtException", () => console.log("Foobar"));\n'</span>);
323<span class="hljs-comment">// Output stream includes:</span>
324<span class="hljs-comment">//   TypeError [ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT]: Listeners for `uncaughtException`</span>
325<span class="hljs-comment">//   cannot be used in the REPL</span>
326
327r.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>();</code></pre>
328</li>
329<li>
330<p>Trying to use <a href="process.html#process_process_setuncaughtexceptioncapturecallback_fn"><code>process.setUncaughtExceptionCaptureCallback()</code></a> throws
331an <a href="errors.html#errors_err_domain_cannot_set_uncaught_exception_capture"><code>ERR_DOMAIN_CANNOT_SET_UNCAUGHT_EXCEPTION_CAPTURE</code></a> error.</p>
332</li>
333</ul>
334<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>
335<div class="api_metadata">
336<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
337<table>
338<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
339<tr><td>v9.8.0</td>
340<td><p>Added <code>_error</code> support.</p></td></tr>
341</tbody></table>
342</details>
343</div>
344<p>The default evaluator will, by default, assign the result of the most recently
345evaluated expression to the special variable <code>_</code> (underscore).
346Explicitly setting <code>_</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p>
347<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>
348[ 'a', 'b', 'c' ]
349<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_.length</span>
3503
351<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_ += 1</span>
352Expression assignment to _ now disabled.
3534
354<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span>
3552
356<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_</span>
3574</code></pre>
358<p>Similarly, <code>_error</code> will refer to the last seen error, if there was any.
359Explicitly setting <code>_error</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p>
360<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">throw new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'foo'</span>);</span>
361Error: foo
362<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_error.message</span>
363'foo'</code></pre>
364<h5><code>await</code> keyword<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_await_keyword" id="repl_await_keyword">#</a></span></h5>
365<p>With the <a href="cli.html#cli_experimental_repl_await"><code>--experimental-repl-await</code></a> command-line option specified,
366experimental support for the <code>await</code> keyword is enabled.</p>
367<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.resolve(123)</span>
368123
369<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.reject(new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'REPL await'</span>))</span>
370Error: REPL await
371    at repl:1:45
372<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const timeout = util.promisify(setTimeout);</span>
373undefined
374<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const old = Date.now(); await timeout(1000); console.log(Date.now() - old);</span>
3751002
376undefined</code></pre>
377<p>One known limitation of using the <code>await</code> keyword in the REPL is that
378it will invalidate the lexical scoping of the <code>const</code> and <code>let</code>
379keywords.</p>
380<p>For example:</p>
381<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(123)</span>
382undefined
383<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
384123
385<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(234)</span>
386undefined
387<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
388234</code></pre>
389<h4>Reverse-i-search<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_reverse_i_search" id="repl_reverse_i_search">#</a></span></h4>
390<div class="api_metadata">
391<span>Added in: v13.6.0</span>
392</div>
393<p>The REPL supports bi-directional reverse-i-search similar to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>. It is
394triggered with <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>R</kbd> to search backward and
395<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>S</kbd> to search
396forwards.</p>
397<p>Duplicated history entries will be skipped.</p>
398<p>Entries are accepted as soon as any key is pressed that doesn't correspond
399with the reverse search. Cancelling is possible by pressing <kbd>Esc</kbd> or
400<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>.</p>
401<p>Changing the direction immediately searches for the next entry in the expected
402direction from the current position on.</p>
403<h4>Custom evaluation functions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions" id="repl_custom_evaluation_functions">#</a></span></h4>
404<p>When a new <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> is created, a custom evaluation function may be
405provided. This can be used, for instance, to implement fully customized REPL
406applications.</p>
407<p>The following illustrates a hypothetical example of a REPL that performs
408translation of text from one language to another:</p>
409<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>);
410<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>);
411
412<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>);
413
414<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) {
415  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, myTranslator.<span class="hljs-title function_">translate</span>(cmd));
416}
417
418repl.<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>
419<h5>Recoverable errors<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_recoverable_errors" id="repl_recoverable_errors">#</a></span></h5>
420<p>At the REPL prompt, pressing <kbd>Enter</kbd> sends the current line of input to
421the <code>eval</code> function. In order to support multi-line input, the <code>eval</code> function
422can return an instance of <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to the provided callback function:</p>
423<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>) {
424  <span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> result;
425  <span class="hljs-keyword">try</span> {
426    result = vm.<span class="hljs-title function_">runInThisContext</span>(cmd);
427  } <span class="hljs-keyword">catch</span> (e) {
428    <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (<span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(e)) {
429      <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));
430    }
431  }
432  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, result);
433}
434
435<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(<span class="hljs-params">error</span>) {
436  <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (error.<span class="hljs-property">name</span> === <span class="hljs-string">'SyntaxError'</span>) {
437    <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>);
438  }
439  <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>;
440}</code></pre>
441<h4>Customizing REPL output<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_customizing_repl_output" id="repl_customizing_repl_output">#</a></span></h4>
442<p>By default, <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instances format output using the
443<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>
444stream (<code>process.stdout</code> by default). The <code>showProxy</code> inspection option is set
445to true by default and the <code>colors</code> option is set to true depending on the
446REPL's <code>useColors</code> option.</p>
447<p>The <code>useColors</code> boolean option can be specified at construction to instruct the
448default writer to use ANSI style codes to colorize the output from the
449<code>util.inspect()</code> method.</p>
450<p>If the REPL is run as standalone program, it is also possible to change the
451REPL's <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options">inspection defaults</a> from inside the REPL by using the
452<code>inspect.replDefaults</code> property which mirrors the <code>defaultOptions</code> from
453<a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</p>
454<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>
455false
456<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">[1]</span>
457[
458  1
459]
460<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
461<p>To fully customize the output of a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance pass in a new
462function for the <code>writer</code> option on construction. The following example, for
463instance, simply converts any input text to upper case:</p>
464<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>);
465
466<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 });
467
468<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) {
469  <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, cmd);
470}
471
472<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myWriter</span>(<span class="hljs-params">output</span>) {
473  <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> output.<span class="hljs-title function_">toUpperCase</span>();
474}</code></pre>
475</section><section><h3>Class: <code>REPLServer</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_class_replserver" id="repl_class_replserver">#</a></span></h3>
476<div class="api_metadata">
477<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span>
478</div>
479<ul>
480<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>
481<li>Extends: <a href="readline.html#readline_class_interface" class="type">&#x3C;readline.Interface></a></li>
482</ul>
483<p>Instances of <code>repl.REPLServer</code> are created using the <a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start()</code></a> method
484or directly using the JavaScript <code>new</code> keyword.</p>
485<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>);
486
487<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> options = { <span class="hljs-attr">useColors</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span> };
488
489<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> firstInstance = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(options);
490<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> secondInstance = <span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">REPLServer</span>(options);</code></pre>
491<h4>Event: <code>'exit'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_exit" id="repl_event_exit">#</a></span></h4>
492<div class="api_metadata">
493<span>Added in: v0.7.7</span>
494</div>
495<p>The <code>'exit'</code> event is emitted when the REPL is exited either by receiving the
496<code>.exit</code> command as input, the user pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> twice
497to signal <code>SIGINT</code>,
498or by pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to signal <code>'end'</code> on the input
499stream. The listener
500callback is invoked without any arguments.</p>
501<pre><code class="language-js">replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
502  <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Received "exit" event from repl!'</span>);
503  process.<span class="hljs-title function_">exit</span>();
504});</code></pre>
505<h4>Event: <code>'reset'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_reset" id="repl_event_reset">#</a></span></h4>
506<div class="api_metadata">
507<span>Added in: v0.11.0</span>
508</div>
509<p>The <code>'reset'</code> event is emitted when the REPL's context is reset. This occurs
510whenever the <code>.clear</code> command is received as input <em>unless</em> the REPL is using
511the default evaluator and the <code>repl.REPLServer</code> instance was created with the
512<code>useGlobal</code> option set to <code>true</code>. The listener callback will be called with a
513reference to the <code>context</code> object as the only argument.</p>
514<p>This can be used primarily to re-initialize REPL context to some pre-defined
515state:</p>
516<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>);
517
518<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(<span class="hljs-params">context</span>) {
519  context.<span class="hljs-property">m</span> = <span class="hljs-string">'test'</span>;
520}
521
522<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> });
523<span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(r.<span class="hljs-property">context</span>);
524
525r.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'reset'</span>, initializeContext);</code></pre>
526<p>When this code is executed, the global <code>'m'</code> variable can be modified but then
527reset to its initial value using the <code>.clear</code> command:</p>
528<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">./node example.js</span>
529<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
530'test'
531<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m = 1</span>
5321
533<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
5341
535<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.clear</span>
536Clearing context...
537<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span>
538'test'
539<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre>
540<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>
541<div class="api_metadata">
542<span>Added in: v0.3.0</span>
543</div>
544<ul>
545<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>
546<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>
547</ul>
548<p>The <code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method is used to add new <code>.</code>-prefixed commands
549to the REPL instance. Such commands are invoked by typing a <code>.</code> followed by the
550<code>keyword</code>. The <code>cmd</code> is either a <code>Function</code> or an <code>Object</code> with the following
551properties:</p>
552<ul>
553<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>
554<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
555string argument.</li>
556</ul>
557<p>The following example shows two new commands added to the REPL instance:</p>
558<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>);
559
560<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> });
561replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineCommand</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'sayhello'</span>, {
562  <span class="hljs-attr">help</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Say hello'</span>,
563  <span class="hljs-title function_">action</span>(<span class="hljs-params">name</span>) {
564    <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">clearBufferedCommand</span>();
565    <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>);
566    <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">displayPrompt</span>();
567  }
568});
569replServer.<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>) {
570  <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Goodbye!'</span>);
571  <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>();
572});</code></pre>
573<p>The new commands can then be used from within the REPL instance:</p>
574<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.sayhello Node.js User</span>
575Hello, Node.js User!
576<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.saybye</span>
577Goodbye!</code></pre>
578<h4><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor" id="repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor">#</a></span></h4>
579<div class="api_metadata">
580<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span>
581</div>
582<ul>
583<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>
584</ul>
585<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt()</code> method readies the REPL instance for input
586from the user, printing the configured <code>prompt</code> to a new line in the <code>output</code>
587and resuming the <code>input</code> to accept new input.</p>
588<p>When multi-line input is being entered, an ellipsis is printed rather than the
589'prompt'.</p>
590<p>When <code>preserveCursor</code> is <code>true</code>, the cursor placement will not be reset to <code>0</code>.</p>
591<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt</code> method is primarily intended to be called from
592within the action function for commands registered using the
593<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p>
594<h4><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand" id="repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand">#</a></span></h4>
595<div class="api_metadata">
596<span>Added in: v9.0.0</span>
597</div>
598<p>The <code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code> method clears any command that has been
599buffered but not yet executed. This method is primarily intended to be
600called from within the action function for commands registered using the
601<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p>
602<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>
603<div class="api_metadata">
604<span>Added in: v0.8.9</span><span>Deprecated since: v9.0.0</span>
605</div>
606<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_0"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 0</a> - Deprecated.</div><p></p>
607<ul>
608<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>
609<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>
610<li>Returns: <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type">&#x3C;boolean></a></li>
611</ul>
612<p>An internal method used to parse and execute <code>REPLServer</code> keywords.
613Returns <code>true</code> if <code>keyword</code> is a valid keyword, otherwise <code>false</code>.</p>
614<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>
615<div class="api_metadata">
616<span>Added in: v11.10.0</span>
617</div>
618<ul>
619<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>
620<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
621<ul>
622<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>
623<li><code>repl</code> <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type">&#x3C;repl.REPLServer></a></li>
624</ul>
625</li>
626</ul>
627<p>Initializes a history log file for the REPL instance. When executing the
628Node.js binary and using the command-line REPL, a history file is initialized
629by default. However, this is not the case when creating a REPL
630programmatically. Use this method to initialize a history log file when working
631with REPL instances programmatically.</p>
632</section><section><h3><code>repl.builtinModules</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules" id="repl_repl_builtinmodules">#</a></span></h3>
633<div class="api_metadata">
634<span>Added in: v14.5.0</span>
635</div>
636<ul>
637<li><a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type">&#x3C;string[]></a></li>
638</ul>
639<p>A list of the names of all Node.js modules, e.g., <code>'http'</code>.</p>
640</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>
641<div class="api_metadata">
642<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary>
643<table>
644<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr>
645<tr><td>v13.4.0</td>
646<td><p>The <code>preview</code> option is now available.</p></td></tr>
647<tr><td>v12.0.0</td>
648<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>
649<tr><td>v10.0.0</td>
650<td><p>The <code>REPL_MAGIC_MODE</code> <code>replMode</code> was removed.</p></td></tr>
651<tr><td>v6.3.0</td>
652<td><p>The <code>breakEvalOnSigint</code> option is supported now.</p></td></tr>
653<tr><td>v5.8.0</td>
654<td><p>The <code>options</code> parameter is optional now.</p></td></tr>
655<tr><td>v0.1.91</td>
656<td><p><span>Added in: v0.1.91</span></p></td></tr>
657</tbody></table>
658</details>
659</div>
660<ul>
661<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>
662<ul>
663<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>
664(with a trailing space).</li>
665<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
666be read. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdin</code>.</li>
667<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
668be written. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdout</code>.</li>
669<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
670treated as a TTY terminal.
671<strong>Default:</strong> checking the value of the <code>isTTY</code> property on the <code>output</code>
672stream upon instantiation.</li>
673<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
674of input. <strong>Default:</strong> an async wrapper for the JavaScript <code>eval()</code>
675function. An <code>eval</code> function can error with <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to indicate
676the input was incomplete and prompt for additional lines.</li>
677<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>
678function should include ANSI color styling to REPL output. If a custom
679<code>writer</code> function is provided then this has no effect. <strong>Default:</strong> checking
680color support on the <code>output</code> stream if the REPL instance's <code>terminal</code> value
681is <code>true</code>.</li>
682<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
683function will use the JavaScript <code>global</code> as the context as opposed to
684creating a new separate context for the REPL instance. The node CLI REPL
685sets this value to <code>true</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
686<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
687will not output the return value of a command if it evaluates to
688<code>undefined</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
689<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
690command before writing to <code>output</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</li>
691<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
692completion. See <a href="readline.html#readline_use_of_the_completer_function"><code>readline.InterfaceCompleter</code></a> for an example.</li>
693<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
694executes all JavaScript commands in strict mode or default (sloppy) mode.
695Acceptable values are:
696<ul>
697<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_SLOPPY</code> to evaluate expressions in sloppy mode.</li>
698<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT</code> to evaluate expressions in strict mode. This is
699equivalent to prefacing every repl statement with <code>'use strict'</code>.</li>
700</ul>
701</li>
702<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
703<code>SIGINT</code> is received, such as when <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> is pressed.
704This cannot be used
705together with a custom <code>eval</code> function. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li>
706<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
707previews or not. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>true</code> with the default eval function and
708<code>false</code> in case a custom eval function is used. If <code>terminal</code> is falsy, then
709there are no previews and the value of <code>preview</code> has no effect.</li>
710</ul>
711</li>
712<li>Returns: <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type">&#x3C;repl.REPLServer></a></li>
713</ul>
714<p>The <code>repl.start()</code> method creates and starts a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance.</p>
715<p>If <code>options</code> is a string, then it specifies the input prompt:</p>
716<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>);
717
718<span class="hljs-comment">// a Unix style prompt</span>
719repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'$ '</span>);</code></pre>
720</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>
721<p>Node.js itself uses the <code>repl</code> module to provide its own interactive interface
722for executing JavaScript. This can be used by executing the Node.js binary
723without passing any arguments (or by passing the <code>-i</code> argument):</p>
724<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node</span>
725<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const a = [1, 2, 3];</span>
726undefined
727<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a</span>
728[ 1, 2, 3 ]
729<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a.forEach((v) => {</span>
730...   console.log(v);
731...   });
7321
7332
7343</code></pre>
735<h4>Environment variable options<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_environment_variable_options" id="repl_environment_variable_options">#</a></span></h4>
736<p>Various behaviors of the Node.js REPL can be customized using the following
737environment variables:</p>
738<ul>
739<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY</code>: When a valid path is given, persistent REPL history
740will be saved to the specified file rather than <code>.node_repl_history</code> in the
741user's home directory. Setting this value to <code>''</code> (an empty string) will
742disable persistent REPL history. Whitespace will be trimmed from the value.
743On Windows platforms environment variables with empty values are invalid so
744set this variable to one or more spaces to disable persistent REPL history.</li>
745<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY_SIZE</code>: Controls how many lines of history will be
746persisted if history is available. Must be a positive number.
747<strong>Default:</strong> <code>1000</code>.</li>
748<li><code>NODE_REPL_MODE</code>: May be either <code>'sloppy'</code> or <code>'strict'</code>. <strong>Default:</strong>
749<code>'sloppy'</code>, which will allow non-strict mode code to be run.</li>
750</ul>
751<h4>Persistent history<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_persistent_history" id="repl_persistent_history">#</a></span></h4>
752<p>By default, the Node.js REPL will persist history between <code>node</code> REPL sessions
753by saving inputs to a <code>.node_repl_history</code> file located in the user's home
754directory. This can be disabled by setting the environment variable
755<code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY=''</code>.</p>
756<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>
757<p>For advanced line-editors, start Node.js with the environment variable
758<code>NODE_NO_READLINE=1</code>. This will start the main and debugger REPL in canonical
759terminal settings, which will allow use with <code>rlwrap</code>.</p>
760<p>For example, the following can be added to a <code>.bashrc</code> file:</p>
761<pre><code class="language-text">alias node="env NODE_NO_READLINE=1 rlwrap node"</code></pre>
762<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>
763<p>It is possible to create and run multiple REPL instances against a single
764running instance of Node.js that share a single <code>global</code> object but have
765separate I/O interfaces.</p>
766<p>The following example, for instance, provides separate REPLs on <code>stdin</code>, a Unix
767socket, and a TCP socket:</p>
768<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>);
769<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);
770<span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> connections = <span class="hljs-number">0</span>;
771
772repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
773  <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via stdin> '</span>,
774  <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdin</span>,
775  <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdout</span>
776});
777
778net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> {
779  connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>;
780  repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
781    <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via Unix socket> '</span>,
782    <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket,
783    <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket
784  }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
785    socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>();
786  });
787}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'/tmp/node-repl-sock'</span>);
788
789net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> {
790  connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>;
791  repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({
792    <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via TCP socket> '</span>,
793    <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket,
794    <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket
795  }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> {
796    socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>();
797  });
798}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-number">5001</span>);</code></pre>
799<p>Running this application from the command line will start a REPL on stdin.
800Other REPL clients may connect through the Unix socket or TCP socket. <code>telnet</code>,
801for instance, is useful for connecting to TCP sockets, while <code>socat</code> can be used
802to connect to both Unix and TCP sockets.</p>
803<p>By starting a REPL from a Unix socket-based server instead of stdin, it is
804possible to connect to a long-running Node.js process without restarting it.</p>
805<p>For an example of running a "full-featured" (<code>terminal</code>) REPL over
806a <code>net.Server</code> and <code>net.Socket</code> instance, see:
807<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310</a>.</p>
808<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:
809<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342</a>.</p></section>
810        <!-- API END -->
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