Process Runner

Process Runner is a powerful Visual Studio Code extension that allows you to define, run, and manage multiple development processes directly from your IDE. Perfect for full-stack development, microservices, and complex workflows.

✨ Features

• 🚀 Process Management: Run multiple processes in parallel with individual start/stop controls
• 📊 Live Monitoring: Real-time logs and status indicators for each process
• 🔌 Port Management: Automatic port detection and conflict resolution
• 🗂️ Process Grouping: Organize related processes into logical groups
• 🧹 Auto Cleanup: Automatically terminates processes when VS Code closes
• ⚡ Quick Actions: Start/stop all processes or entire groups with one click

📦 Installation

From VS Code Marketplace

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac)
3. Search for "Process Runner"
4. Click Install

From VSIX File

1. Download the latest .vsix file from the Releases page
2. Open VS Code
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+P and type "Extensions: Install from VSIX"
4. Select the downloaded file

⚙️ Configuration

Define your processes in .vscode/settings.json:

Basic Configuration

{
  "processRunner.processes": [
    {
      "id": "backend",
      "title": "Backend API",
      "command": "npm run dev",
      "cwd": "backend",
      "port": 3000
    },
    {
      "id": "frontend",
      "title": "Frontend App",
      "command": "npm start",
      "cwd": "frontend",
      "port": 3001
    }
  ]
}

Advanced Configuration with Groups

{
  "processRunner.processes": [
    {
      "id": "api",
      "title": "API Server",
      "command": "npm run dev",
      "cwd": "services/api",
      "port": 3000,
      "group": "backend"
    },
    {
      "id": "database",
      "title": "Database",
      "command": "docker-compose up -d postgres",
      "cwd": "services",
      "group": "backend"
    },
    {
      "id": "web",
      "title": "Web App",
      "command": "npm run dev",
      "cwd": "apps/web",
      "port": 3001,
      "group": "frontend"
    },
    {
      "id": "mobile",
      "title": "Mobile App",
      "command": "npm run expo",
      "cwd": "apps/mobile",
      "group": "frontend"
    }
  ],
  "processRunner.enableGrouping": true
}

Configuration Properties

🎯 Usage

Accessing Process Runner

1. Activity Bar: Click the Process Runner icon in the activity bar
2. Command Palette: Press Ctrl+Shift+P and search for "Process Runner"

Available Commands

Process Status Indicators

• 🟢 Running: Process is currently running
• 🔴 Stopped: Process is not running
• ⚠️ Port In Use: Port conflict detected
• ❌ Error: Process failed to start

🚀 Quick Start Examples

Full-Stack Web Development

{
  "processRunner.processes": [
    {
      "id": "postgres",
      "title": "PostgreSQL",
      "command": "docker-compose up -d postgres",
      "cwd": "docker",
      "group": "database"
    },
    {
      "id": "redis",
      "title": "Redis Cache",
      "command": "docker-compose up -d redis",
      "cwd": "docker",
      "group": "database"
    },
    {
      "id": "api",
      "title": "Express API",
      "command": "npm run dev",
      "cwd": "backend",
      "port": 3000,
      "group": "backend"
    },
    {
      "id": "worker",
      "title": "Background Worker",
      "command": "npm run worker",
      "cwd": "backend",
      "group": "backend"
    },
    {
      "id": "react",
      "title": "React App",
      "command": "npm start",
      "cwd": "frontend",
      "port": 3001,
      "group": "frontend"
    }
  ]
}

Microservices Architecture

{
  "processRunner.processes": [
    {
      "id": "auth-service",
      "title": "Auth Service",
      "command": "go run main.go",
      "cwd": "services/auth",
      "port": 8001,
      "group": "core-services"
    },
    {
      "id": "user-service",
      "title": "User Service",
      "command": "go run main.go",
      "cwd": "services/user",
      "port": 8002,
      "group": "core-services"
    },
    {
      "id": "notification-service",
      "title": "Notification Service",
      "command": "python app.py",
      "cwd": "services/notification",
      "port": 8003,
      "group": "support-services"
    }
  ]
}

🔧 Development

Building from Source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/VictorRillo/process-runner.git
cd process-runner

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Compile in development mode
npm run compile

# Package for distribution
npm run package

# Create VSIX package
vsce package

Running Tests

# Run all tests
npm test

# Watch mode for development
npm run watch-tests

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request. For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Process fails to start:

• Check that the command is correct and executable
• Verify the working directory exists
• Ensure all required dependencies are installed

Port conflicts:

• Use the "Kill Process Using Port" command to free up ports
• Change the port in your configuration
• Check if another application is using the port

Extension not showing:

• Reload VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+P → "Developer: Reload Window")
• Check that the extension is enabled in the Extensions panel

Getting Help

• 📖 Documentation
• 🐛 Report Issues
• 💬 Discussions

📈 Changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for a list of changes and version history.