prettier_d_slim

1.2.0 verified Sat Apr 25 auth: no javascript

A daemon wrapper for Prettier that dramatically reduces formatting time by running a background server, eliminating Node.js startup and module loading overhead. Current stable version is 1.2.0, with infrequent releases. Compared to alternatives like prettier_d, prettier_d_slim is minimal and stable, with a smaller footprint. It automatically picks a free port, stores credentials in ~/.prettier_d_slim, and supports per-directory Prettier versions via a nanolru cache. Ideal for editor save-time formatting where sub-150ms latency is desired.

Common errors

error Error: No such file or directory (os error 2) open '~/.prettier_d_slim' ↓

cause The server has not been started yet, or the credentials file was deleted.

fix

Run 'prettier_d_slim start' to start the server and create the file.

error Error: listen EADDRINUSE :::<port> ↓

cause The random port chosen by prettier_d_slim is already in use, or a previous server instance wasn't properly shut down.

fix

Run 'prettier_d_slim stop' to stop any existing server, then retry. If the port is occupied by another process, wait or manually kill the process.

error stdin is not a TTY ↓

cause The command expects stdin input but it was not piped or redirected.

fix

Redirect a file: 'prettier_d_slim --stdin --stdin-filepath file.js < file.js' or use --text.

error prettier_d_slim: command not found ↓

cause The package is not installed globally or not in PATH.

fix

Install globally with 'npm install -g prettier_d_slim' or use npx: 'npx prettier_d_slim ...'

Warnings

gotcha The first invocation always starts the server and takes ~700ms. Subsequent calls are fast (~130ms). ↓

fix Run a warm-up call (e.g., format a dummy file) before performance-critical workflows.

gotcha The server binds to a random port and stores credentials in ~/.prettier_d_slim. Deleting this file breaks communication until server restart. ↓

fix Do not manually delete ~/.prettier_d_slim while server is running. Use 'prettier_d_slim stop' to cleanly shutdown.

gotcha Per-directory Prettier versions are cached up to 10 entries. If you switch between many projects, older directories may lose their cached instance. ↓

fix The cache is LRU with size 10. To force a fresh instance for a directory, use 'prettier_d_slim restart' or remove the cache by stopping the server.

gotcha When using stdin, the file path must be provided via --stdin-filepath, otherwise Prettier cannot infer the parser. ↓

fix Always use --stdin-filepath with a filename that matches the language (e.g., file.js, file.ts, file.css).

Install

npm install prettier_d_slim

yarn add prettier_d_slim

pnpm add prettier_d_slim

Imports

default (CLI)
wrong
```
prettier_d_slim file.js
```
correct
```
npx prettier_d_slim --stdin-filepath file.js < file.js
```
prettier_d_slim is a CLI tool, not a library. It expects input via stdin or --text. File arguments alone may not work as expected.
start/stop/restart/status commands
wrong
```
prettier_d_slim --start
```
correct
```
prettier_d_slim start
```
Commands are positional, not flags. Use 'prettier_d_slim start' not '--start'.
Programmatic usage (core_d)
wrong
```
import { core_d } from 'core_d';
```
correct
```
const core_d = require('core_d');
```
core_d is a CommonJS library. ESM import may cause issues if your project is not configured for CJS interop. Use require() or a dynamic import.

Quickstart

Demonstrates installation, basic stdin formatting, server control commands, and netcat usage for sub-50ms formatting.

// Install globally
$ npm install -g prettier_d_slim

# Format a file via stdin (first time starts server, ~130ms)
$ cat file.js | prettier_d_slim --stdin --stdin-filepath file.js

# Format with text argument
$ prettier_d_slim --stdin-filepath file.js --text 'const foo = {}'

# Control server
$ prettier_d_slim start
$ prettier_d_slim status
$ prettier_d_slim restart
$ prettier_d_slim stop

# Super fast with netcat (<50ms after server running)
$ PORT=$(cat ~/.prettier_d_slim | cut -d" " -f1)
$ TOKEN=$(cat ~/.prettier_d_slim | cut -d" " -f2)
$ echo "$TOKEN $PWD file.js" | nc localhost $PORT