How can I log npm install output to a file using Maven Frontend Plugin or command line parameters?

Frontend and Backend Development
1

I am utilizing Maven along with Frontend to run npm, node, and ember for building an Ember application. Occasionally, the ‘npm install’ phase becomes unresponsive, and the log files do not provide meaningful information. My goal is to:

  • Enhance visibility by raising the log level
  • Minimize the confusion caused by debug messages overriding essential log information

Ideally, I’d like to add command line parameters to:

  • Adjust the npm command’s log level to debug
  • Direct the output to a file

Furthermore, I would like to implement a Maven profile that guarantees the build system logs at maximum verbosity without losing sight of critical log details for developers.

If anyone could share the necessary command line parameters, file configurations, or point me toward relevant documentation, I’d make the changes to my POM file and share the solution here.

Thank you!
Peter

2

You can try redirecting npm output to a file directly in the command line. Use npm install > install-log.txt 2>&1 to catch both stdout and stderr. For Maven, use the exec goal like <exec.executable>npm</exec.executable> within the plugin config, appending “> output.txt 2>&1” in args. Works for me!

3

To handle verbose logging in Maven with the Frontend Plugin, creating a profile is indeed a wise choice. In your pom.xml, define a profile with a specific property for logging verbosity. For example, set a property <npm.logging.level> to “info” or “debug” that can be adjusted by activating this profile. Then, within the execution block for the Frontend Plugin, utilize this property. Use the logging level as a variable in the npm command. Also, consider activating this profile with mvn clean install -Pverbose, which would keep the detailed logs handy without modifying the primary build process.

4

hey there! :seedling: have you thought about using npm set command before your install to change the loglevel? something like npm set loglevel debug && npm install could work. also, does the frontend plugin support any special flags for logging? curious to hear others’ thoughts on this too!