To get access to this dialog box:

  1. Download and install the NodeJS framework.
  2. Make sure the Node.js plugin is installed and enabled.

    The plugin is not bundled with IntelliJ IDEA, but it is available from the JetBrains plugin repository. Once enabled, the plugin is available at the IDE level, that is, you can use it in all your IntelliJ IDEA projects.

  3. Download and install the nodeunit testing framework

In this dialog box, create configurations to run unit tests for NodeJS applications.

This section provides descriptions of the configuration-specific items, as well as the toolbar and options that are common for all run/debug configurations.

ItemDescription
Node path In this field, specify the NodeJS installation home. Type the path to the NodeJS executable file manually, or click the Browse button browseButton.png and select the location in the dialog box, that opens.

If you have appointed one of the installations as default, the field displays the path to its executable file.

Working directory In this text box, specify the folder to find tests under. This can be the project root folder or the parent directory for the test folder. Type the path to the NodeJS executable file manually, or click the Browse button browseButton.png and select the location in the dialog box, that opens.
Run From this drop-down list, choose the scope of tests to execute. The available options are:
  • All JavaScript test files in the directory: choose this option to to have IntelliJ IDEA run all the test files in a folder. In the Directory text box below, specify the path to the test folder relative to the working directory.
  • JavaScript test file: choose this option to have a specific test executed. In the JavaScript test file text box, type the path to the file relative to the working directory.

Toolbar

ItemShortcutDescription
add Insert Click this button to add new configuration to the list.
delete Delete Click this button to remove the selected configuration from the list.
copy Ctrl+D Click this button to create a copy of the selected configuration.
settings Edit defaultsClick this button to edit the default configuration templates. The defaults are used for the newly created configurations.
arrowUp or arrowDown Alt+Up or Alt+Down Use these buttons to move the selected configuration or group of configurations (folder) up and down in the list.

The order of configurations or folders in the list defines the order, in which configurations appear in the Run/Debug drop-down list on the main toolbar.

folder Use this button to create a new folder.

If one or more run/debug configurations have the focus, then the selected run/debug configurations 0 are automatically moved to the newly created folder. If only a category has the focus, then an empty folder is created.

Common options

ItemDescription
NameIn this text box, specify the name of the current run/debug configuration. This field does not appear for the default run/debug configurations.
Defaults This node in the left-hand pane of the dialog box contains the default run/debug configuration settings. Select the desired configuration to change its default settings in the right-hand pane. The defaults are applied to all newly created run/debug configurations.
Temporary configurations limit Specify here the maximum number of temporary configurations to be stored and shown in the Select Run/Debug Configuration drop-down list.
Share Select this check box to make the run/debug configuration available to other team members.

If the directory-based project format is used, the settings for a run/debug configuration are stored in a separate xml file in the .idea\runConfigurations folder if the run/debug configuration is shared and in the .idea\workspace.xml file otherwise.

If the file-based format is used, the settings are stored in the .ipr file for shared configurations or in the .iws file for the ones that are not shared.

This check box is not available when editing the run/debug configuration defaults.

Single instance onlyIf this check box is selected, this run/debug configuration cannot be launched more than once.

Every time a new run/debug configuration is launched, IntelliJ IDEA checks the presence of the other instances of the same run/debug configuration, and displays a confirmation dialog box. If you click OK in the confirmation dialog box, the first instance of the runner will be stopped, and the next one will take its place.

This make sense, when usage of certain resources can cause conflicts, or when launching two run/debug configurations of the same type consumes too much of the CPU and memory resources.

If this check box is not selected, it is possible to launch as many instances of the runner as required. So doing, each runner will start in its own tab of the Run tool window.

Before launchIn this area, specify the actions to be performed prior to executing the current run/debug configuration.
ItemKeyboard shortcutDescription
addAlt+Insert Click this button to add one of the tasks to be executed prior to launching the application. The possible tasks are:
  • Run External tool: Add this task to have IntelliJ IDEA launch the specified third-party tool prior to running or debugging. To appoint a tool to launch, select it in the External Tools dialog box that opens.
  • Make: Add this task to compile the project automatically, prior to running or debugging. This option helps you ensure that all changes are included and compiled. If there are no changes, the program will just run.
  • Build Artifacts: Add this task to build the specified artifacts prior to running or debugging. To define the artifacts to be built, click the Browse button browse and select the desired artifact from the list of artifacts configured for the current module. To learn more about configuring artifacts, refer to Artifacts section.
  • Run Another Configuration: Add this task to choose one of the already defined temporary or permanent run/debug configurations.
  • Run Ant target:Add this task to build the specified Ant target prior to running or debugging. To define an Ant target, click Browse button browse and select the desired target from the list of existing targets. To learn more about Ant support, refer to Ant Support section.
  • Run Maven goal: Add this task to execute the specified Maven goal prior to running or debugging. To define a Maven goal to be executed, click Browse button browse and select the desired goal from the list. To learn more about Maven support, refer to Maven Support section.
deleteAlt+Delete Click this button to remove selected task from the list.
edit1Enter Click this button to open the selected task for editing.
arrowUp or arrowDownAlt+Up or Alt+Down Click these buttons to move the selected task one line up or down.

Note that Before launch actions are performed in the order they are specified in the run/debug configuration dialog.

Show this pageSelect this check box to always show the Edit Run/Debug Configuration dialog prior to launching the current run/debug configuration.
If this check box is not selected, run/debug configuration will be launched silently.

See Also

Concepts:

Procedures:

Web Resources:

JavaScript Support: