Node2Self: A Node Project Interface

Created by Those Who Node

Description

Node2Self is a desktop UI application that allows new Node.js developers to easily create and run Node.js projects while minimizing the use of command-line terminals.

How It Works

Create or Import Projects: Start fresh using built-in or custom templates — Express apps, API servers, or full-stack setups — or import existing Node.js projects in one click.

Configure Settings: Adjust project names, ports, environment variables, and scripts directly from the dashboard. Everything is saved automatically.

Run Instantly: Launch your projects using the built-in start/stop controls. Each project runs independently on its own port with live status indicators.

View Logs Live: Watch real-time console output in the integrated terminal view. You can monitor multiple projects side by side.

Manage & Maintain: Open project folders, edit configs, or remove projects from your list — all from a single unified interface.

Tech Stack

• Python
• Tkinter

Setup Instructions

Windows

System Requirements

• Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
• ~300 MB free disk space

Run the Installer

1. Locate the installer file Node2Self_Setup.exe on Windows (Should be under installer folder)

2. Double-click

3. If you see a SmartScreen warning:

• Click “More info”
• Click “Run anyway” (if you trust the publisher).

Follow the Wizard

During setup you can:

• Choose install location (default):

C:\Users\<YourAccount>\AppData\Roaming\Node2Self

Optionally enable:

• Create Desktop Shortcut

Click Install and wait for completion.

Launch on Windows

You can start Node2Self via:

• Desktop shortcut, or
• Start Menu → Node2Self

Using the App

Create New Project

Click 'Create New Project' (Top Right Corner).

Fill Out your Package.json Information

Click 'Create' to create your project. Note: It may take a few seconds to install your dependencies based on how many you install.

Running your Projects

Click 'Open Existing Project' and Navigate to your project folder. Click 'Select Folder' and your project should show up on your screen.

Click 'Start' to Start your project. You can explore the other buttons for fun surprises.

Edit Settings & Preferences

Click 'Create New Project' (Left Side Bar).

Click 'Preferences'

Click 'General' You should be able to set default folder for New Projects

Click 'Automation' You can set the program to automatically install dependencies and/or open in VS Code.

Click 'Appearance' You can set the appearance/color theme of the application.

When you are done, click 'Save & Apply' to save your changes. In the following screenshots, I've set the theme to dark mode.

Configure Templates Feature

You can view templates installed into the app by clicking 'Configure Templates'.

Development Team

• Joey Driedger: Team Lead
• Minh Ngoc: Templates Editor Menu Developer (Term 1)
• Asher Drybrough: Settings Menu Developer
• Andre Di Lascio: Node.js Project Manager Menu Developer
• Justin Yu: Node.js Project Creation Menu Developer