Simplifying the Process of Managing Busy Ports with Node.js and pkg
As a frontend developer working extensively with React, one small yet persistent annoyance I face is dealing with port conflicts. By default, React apps run on port 3000. Often, when trying to run a React app, I find that port 3000 is already in use, forcing me to manually locate and kill the process occupying the port.
The usual steps are:
1- Find the process using the port:
netstat -ano | findstr 3000
2- Kill the process using its PID:
taskkill /PID <PID> /F
While effective, this process can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when you're focused on coding and productivity.
Automating the Solution with Node.js
To address this, I wrote a simple Node.js application that automates finding and killing processes on a specific port. You can explore the repository here: GitHub: Kill Process
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This tool streamlines the workflow, saving time and reducing frustration. Instead of running multiple commands manually, you can now manage port conflicts in just one step.
Creating an Executable for Convenience
During this project, I realized another challenge: not every team member or user has Node.js installed on their system. To solve this, I discovered an amazing npm package called pkg.
Pkg allows you to package a Node.js script into a standalone executable that runs directly on Windows, Linux, or macOS—without requiring Node.js to be installed. Here's how it works:
This is particularly useful for small utilities or tools where you want ease of distribution and usability. With pkg, I packaged my port-killer app into an .exe file, making it simple for Windows users to use the tool without extra setup.
Final Thoughts
This small utility has significantly improved my React development workflow, and I hope it can help others too. If you've faced similar challenges or have tips for optimizing React workflows, feel free to share your insights in the comments!