npm run dev Auto-Runner

Automatically run npm run dev in your workspace folders when you open them. No need to manually create task files anymore. Works seamlessly across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Options

1. Add a folder

Method 1: The Automatic Prompt

The extension will ask you the first time you open a folder. Click Yes to opt-in.

After clicking Yes, a second prompt will ask you to select the local development URL for that folder. You can choose http://localhost:3000 or select Custom to enter your own URL (e.g. http://localhost:5173).

The folder will then run npm run dev automatically every time you open it.

You can also click:

• No - to permanently ignore the folder (it will never be asked again).
• Ask Later - to skip just this time, and be asked again next time.

Method 2: Extension Settings

1. Open VS Code Settings.
2. Search for autoRunDev.allowedFolders.
3. Add an entry as an object with path and url fields:

// Windows
{
    "path": "d:\\projects\\my-app",
    "url": "http://localhost:3000"
}

// macOS/Linux
{
    "path": "/users/yourname/projects/my-app",
    "url": "http://localhost:3000"
}

2. Remove a folder

1. Open VS Code Settings.
2. Search for autoRunDev.allowedFolders.
3. Remove the folder's entry from the list.

3. Open browser automatically

By default, the extension opens your default browser to the folder's configured URL when npm run dev starts. To disable this:

1. Open VS Code Settings.
2. Search for autoRunDev.openBrowser.
3. Uncheck the box to disable it.

4. Show terminal on command run

By default, the terminal runs in the background. To make the terminal panel appear automatically when the script starts:

1. Open VS Code Settings.
2. Search for autoRunDev.showTerminalOnStart.
3. Check the box to enable it.