opn
A better node-open. Opens stuff like websites, files, executables. Cross-platform.
Why?
- Actively maintained
- Supports app arguments
- Safer as it uses
spawninstead ofexec - Fixes most of the open
node-openissues - Includes the latest
xdg-openscript for Linux
Install
$ npm install --save opn
Usage
var opn = require('opn');
opn('unicorn.png');
// opens the image in the default image viewer
opn('http://sindresorhus.com');
// opens the url in the default browser
opn('http://sindresorhus.com', {app: 'firefox'});
// specify the app to open in
opn('http://sindresorhus.com', {app: ['google chrome', '--incognito']});
// specify app arguments
API
Uses the command open on OS X, start on Windows and xdg-open on other platforms.
opn(target, [options], [callback])
Returns the spawned child process. You'd normally not need to use this for anything, but it can be useful if you'd like to attach custom event listeners or perform other operations directly on the spawned process.
target
Required
Type: string
The thing you want to open. Can be a URL, file, or executable.
Opens in the default app for the file type. Eg. URLs opens in your default browser.
options
Type: object
wait
Type: boolean
Default: true
Wait for the opened app to exit before calling the callback. If false it's called immediately when opening the app.
On Windows you have to explicitly specify an app for it to be able to wait.
app
Type: string, array
Specify the app to open the target with, or an array with the app and app arguments.
The app name is platform dependent. Don't hard code it in reusable modules. Eg. Chrome is google chrome on OS X, google-chrome on Linux and chrome on Windows.
callback(error)
Type: function
Called when the opened app exits, or if wait: false, immediately when opening.
Related
- opn-cli - CLI for this module
License
MIT © Sindre Sorhus