How to run a npm script on a deployed Heroku NodeJS app

Question

Under scripts in package.json I have the following.

'refresh': node refresh db

Is there a way to trigger this particular npm script on a NodeJS app deployed on Heroku.

Faa

Answer 1

Yes:

$ heroku run npm run refresh

Annalisaannalise

Sort of, but not quite - this will run in a one-off dyno, not on the same dyno(s) used to access the running app. – Hamann

This answer is accurate. The question was not how to execute a script on a specific dyno, but how to execute one on a specific app. An app is made up of n ephemeral dynos on Heroku by design. – Annalisaannalise

Answer 2

Per the Heroku Node.js Documentation, you can add pre and post install scripts. In addition, you can add scripts that can be triggered by environment variables.

Batholith

Yes, I have added a postinstall and start scripts but is there a way to trigger a npm script after the deploy is done? In my case I need to refresh the db on a need basis. – Faa

It would help if you could provide more details on what conditions will trigger this script. – Batholith

Answer 3

You can also do this using only the browser; Just log in to manage your app in the heroku dashboard (https://dashboard.heroku.com/apps/[app_name]) and there click on the right side of it: More > Run console

Then you can run any command: command line in heroku

https://devcenter.heroku.com/changelog-items/1137

Yawn

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