# Developing Nodes

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/c/developing-nodes/15.md?page=13

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**Page:** 14

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## [Creating node with "node\_api.h"](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-node-with-node-api-h/77091)

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**Author:** [@laetzsch](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/laetzsch)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [30 March 2023 20:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-node-with-node-api-h/77091 "2023-03-30T20:28:28Z")

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Hello, this is my first post but I got many help and inspiration by reading this forum before. So I am hopefull to get the right hint here for my problem. I am writing a custom node that receives messages whose payload…

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## [How to create a hidden node property](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-create-a-hidden-node-property/76934)

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**Author:** [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [28 March 2023 11:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-create-a-hidden-node-property/76934 "2023-03-28T11:36:08Z")

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I am trying to create a hidden node property ("moddable\_manifest") in a contrib node, in order to provide a property in the nodes exported JSON, where the JSON should be something like { "id": "39f01371482a60fb", …

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## [What is opt used for in some nodes' validate:function(v,opt)](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/what-is-opt-used-for-in-some-nodes-validate-function-v-opt/76959)

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**Author:** [@cameo69](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cameo69)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [26 March 2023 11:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/what-is-opt-used-for-in-some-nodes-validate-function-v-opt/76959 "2023-03-26T11:05:04Z")

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Node properties : Node-RED describes how the validate function can be used. Its signature is given as validate:function(v) But then I saw in the delay node validate:function(v,opt) { if (RED.validators.number(v…

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## [Values from the dashboard to a node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/values-from-the-dashboard-to-a-node/76904)

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**Author:** [@Kreindl123](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Kreindl123)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [24 March 2023 12:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/values-from-the-dashboard-to-a-node/76904 "2023-03-24T12:52:19Z")

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Hello, at first I have to say, that I have not so much experience with node-red. But I think someone can help me about my question. Currently I switch on/off a fan depending on the actual humidity with fix on/off value…

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## [Balancing ease of use with features?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/balancing-ease-of-use-with-features/76877)

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**Author:** [@HaroldPetersInskipp](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/HaroldPetersInskipp)\
**Replies:** 16\
**Last updated:** [23 March 2023 20:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/balancing-ease-of-use-with-features/76877 "2023-03-23T20:41:37Z")

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As I get further along in my first real contrib-node project that isn't just for my personal learning or a proof-of-concept. I'm now faced with the question, "How do I keep my node from becoming overly complex for some u…

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## [Running oneditprepare again after reconfiguring](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/running-oneditprepare-again-after-reconfiguring/76819)

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**Author:** [@KilianHertel](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/KilianHertel)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [22 March 2023 12:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/running-oneditprepare-again-after-reconfiguring/76819 "2023-03-22T12:02:22Z")

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Hi, have a config node div in my custom node, as a config type: RED.nodes.registerType('json-config', { category: 'config', defaults: { title: { value: "", re…

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## [Input node creation timing](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/input-node-creation-timing/76578)

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**Author:** [@znetsixe](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/znetsixe)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [15 March 2023 18:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/input-node-creation-timing/76578 "2023-03-15T18:36:35Z")

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Hey, I know the following should work but probably has to do with the time it gets called... My question is how to fix it and where. As Im still fairly new to java please dont overcomplicate things :stuck\_out\_tongue: I…

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## [Standard trigger node source code?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/standard-trigger-node-source-code/76534)

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**Author:** [@znetsixe](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/znetsixe)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [14 March 2023 08:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/standard-trigger-node-source-code/76534 "2023-03-14T08:16:03Z")

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Hi, I wanted to find a good example of a dropdown box that on selection changes the input fields. The standard trigger node does such a thing in node red. I cant seem to find the source code of this node however? Ive b…

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## [Validation property from other input field?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/validation-property-from-other-input-field/76518)

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**Author:** [@znetsixe](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/znetsixe)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [13 March 2023 20:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/validation-property-from-other-input-field/76518 "2023-03-13T20:36:56Z")

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I know there are other threads on this topics but cant seem to find my precise question so fast so here it goes : I want to use the validation function to use 2 of the users input and check if minimum is bigger than max…

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## [Getting Bin Collection information from Local Council Website for 'Bindicator'](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-bin-collection-information-from-local-council-website-for-bindicator/76441)

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**Author:** [@millsrob88](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/millsrob88)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [11 March 2023 20:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-bin-collection-information-from-local-council-website-for-bindicator/76441 "2023-03-11T20:36:56Z")

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Hello, (First Post here!), I've seen a few topics similar to this but none have helped figure out my problem, and I'm pretty new to Node-RED. I'm trying to access the bin collection information from my local council we…

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## [Can you create a node that just has a template in it?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-you-create-a-node-that-just-has-a-template-in-it/76433)

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**Author:** [@Shan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Shan)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [11 March 2023 16:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-you-create-a-node-that-just-has-a-template-in-it/76433 "2023-03-11T16:12:59Z")

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I was wondering whether there is a possibility where I can create a bunch of node-RED nodes to distribute for my app, which in essence just contains certain templates for YAML files. The idea is to let the user configur…

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## [Using functions in oneditprepare and oneditsave](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-functions-in-oneditprepare-and-oneditsave/76374)

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**Author:** [@drmibell](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/drmibell)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [10 March 2023 18:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-functions-in-oneditprepare-and-oneditsave/76374 "2023-03-10T18:39:54Z")

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I am re-factoring a couple of custom nodes and running into the limits of my understanding of JavaScript or the structure of Node-RED (or possibly both). I have large blocks of code that I use in several places in both t…

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## [Context in subflow](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/context-in-subflow/76364)

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**Author:** [@peterpreininger](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/peterpreininger)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [9 March 2023 22:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/context-in-subflow/76364 "2023-03-09T22:33:10Z")

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I created a node, that creates energy data (actual energy consumption of the day until now and actual energy data of the hour). Additionally it generates historic consumption data of hour/day/... for calculating that, I…

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## [How to capture focus and blur events on a typedInput element](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-capture-focus-and-blur-events-on-a-typedinput-element/76190)

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**Author:** [@CanyonCasa](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/CanyonCasa)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [9 March 2023 02:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-capture-focus-and-blur-events-on-a-typedinput-element/76190 "2023-03-09T02:43:57Z")

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ref: Node 18.12.1 and Node-red 3.0.1 I can't seem to capture the onfocus and onblur events for a typedInput in the node edit dialog. I use this to show/hide a tip field at the bottom of the form. It works for text input…

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## [Question on internationalisation: Can I have 1 json file for several nodes?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-on-internationalisation-can-i-have-1-json-file-for-several-nodes/76300)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [8 March 2023 16:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-on-internationalisation-can-i-have-1-json-file-for-several-nodes/76300 "2023-03-08T16:07:08Z")

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Hi, I've a question as I start to prepare uibuilder to use l8n internationalisation rather than fixed text strings. As in the title - is it possible to define a single locale json file in my Node package that can be use…

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## [SFTP Transfering folder](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sftp-transfering-folder/76081)

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**Author:** [@tiagonascimento](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tiagonascimento)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [3 March 2023 22:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/sftp-transfering-folder/76081 "2023-03-03T22:02:42Z")

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Hello guys. I need created a node transfering SFTP a of folder remote to local. I couldn't creat it someone to help me

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## [Custom node and ext package guidance (with modern ts possibly)](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/custom-node-and-ext-package-guidance-with-modern-ts-possibly/75900)

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**Author:** [@dattasaurabh82](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dattasaurabh82)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [1 March 2023 21:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/custom-node-and-ext-package-guidance-with-modern-ts-possibly/75900 "2023-03-01T21:32:25Z")

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What? I'm writing my first custom node (not a script node). While I'm navigating using the documentation here, I'm not seeing any guidance on how to use other external npm libraries, and also most of them use ts. In my …

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## [Confused about potential naming conflicts between module names, node names, and palette or flow management](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/confused-about-potential-naming-conflicts-between-module-names-node-names-and-palette-or-flow-management/75951)

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**Author:** [@CanyonCasa](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/CanyonCasa)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [1 March 2023 21:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/confused-about-potential-naming-conflicts-between-module-names-node-names-and-palette-or-flow-management/75951 "2023-03-01T21:14:44Z")

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Suppose I install a module node-red-contrib-foo, which adds a node bar to the palette. Then I install a second module @me/node-red-special, which also defines a node bar added to the palette. How does node-red resolve t…

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## [Node reserved property names](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-reserved-property-names/75949)

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**Author:** [@CanyonCasa](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/CanyonCasa)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [1 March 2023 15:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-reserved-property-names/75949 "2023-03-01T15:53:37Z")

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The Node-red documentation, docs - creating nodes - properties, lists reserved property names as all lowercase single letters and id, type, wires, inputs, and outputs. Although perhaps obvious, the list should also inclu…

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## [Node js classes and functions within classes](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-js-classes-and-functions-within-classes/75725)

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**Author:** [@znetsixe](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/znetsixe)\
**Replies:** 17\
**Last updated:** [27 February 2023 21:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-js-classes-and-functions-within-classes/75725 "2023-02-27T21:33:42Z")

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Hey all, I have some issues understanding NODEJS syntaxing. Im used to working with php code. So im trying to do something I did prior in node js but failing :slight\_smile: ''' inside a class Machine I use this code …

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## [Node Red Docker container crashing after configuring particle node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-docker-container-crashing-after-configuring-particle-node/75678)

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**Author:** [@anto](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/anto)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [24 February 2023 12:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-docker-container-crashing-after-configuring-particle-node/75678 "2023-02-24T12:17:31Z")

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Hi, I am trying to set up particle node in my flow and every time I configure the particle node with clientid and client secret my nodered container crashes with the following error. 24 Feb 10:13:39 - \[warn\] Encrypted …

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## [Npm install local-directory no longer makes symbolic links](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/npm-install-local-directory-no-longer-makes-symbolic-links/75615)

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**Author:** [@chris.willing](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/chris.willing)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [24 February 2023 03:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/npm-install-local-directory-no-longer-makes-symbolic-links/75615 "2023-02-24T03:38:59Z")

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For a long time I've been running npm install some-local-directory from ~/.node-red, which creates a symbolic link to some-local-directory where I'm doing my node development. With npm 9.4.0 (companion to nodejs 19.6.1) …

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## [Node-RED restart require every time when i install updated version of my Nodes](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-restart-require-every-time-when-i-install-updated-version-of-my-nodes/75521)

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**Author:** [@raweee](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/raweee)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [22 February 2023 09:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-restart-require-every-time-when-i-install-updated-version-of-my-nodes/75521 "2023-02-22T09:42:57Z")

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Hi, I'm new in Node-RED' Nodes development, I have created a set of nodes to perform some specific tasks, These Nodes require continuous modifications and updates. But whenever i install update of my Nodes in Node-RED,…

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## [Debug logs in the editor](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/debug-logs-in-the-editor/75474)

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**Author:** [@ptweety](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ptweety)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [20 February 2023 21:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/debug-logs-in-the-editor/75474 "2023-02-20T21:05:29Z")

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Hi all, I wonder how I can enable users of my custom node to have extended debug output in the editor. Basically I'm looking for an option how a user can enable certain log level in the browser console, so that my front…

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## [typedInput - enforcing only string output from JSONata type](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/typedinput-enforcing-only-string-output-from-jsonata-type/75393)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [19 February 2023 11:44 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/typedinput-enforcing-only-string-output-from-jsonata-type/75393 "2023-02-19T11:44:06Z")

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Hi Node-RED brains-trust. I need to validate a typedInput that allows JSONata BUT I need the result to be a string not JSON. I can do this with a validate function: const f = value.slice(0, 1) return !( f === '{' || f …

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## [Node configuration: setting input fields](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-configuration-setting-input-fields/75338)

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**Author:** [@Hopperpop](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Hopperpop)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [17 February 2023 13:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-configuration-setting-input-fields/75338 "2023-02-17T13:32:30Z")

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Hi all, For a node I developed, I'm trying to implement an export/import function of the node configuration to/from an xml file. This because the xml file is used to make the same configuration in the program it's talki…

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## [Node unittests pass with strange warning](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-unittests-pass-with-strange-warning/75162)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [16 February 2023 03:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-unittests-pass-with-strange-warning/75162 "2023-02-16T03:51:53Z")

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I understand that this may be more or less a mixture of JEST and NR issue. But I just hope someone may shed some light on it. Setup OS: macOS JEST version: $ jest --version 29.4.2 Goal npm install -g node-red npm in…

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## [Using pnpm for all package management for custom nodes](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-pnpm-for-all-package-management-for-custom-nodes/74391)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 17\
**Last updated:** [16 February 2023 02:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-pnpm-for-all-package-management-for-custom-nodes/74391 "2023-02-16T02:41:32Z")

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In order to ship internal custom nodes to our users faster with smaller install size, we are trying out pnpm to replace npm in the context of NodeJS for Node-RED. Although pnpm seems to be better than npm in terms of in…

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## [Node-red-contrib-simple-message-queue](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-contrib-simple-message-queue/74825)

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**Author:** [@gopinath.m](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gopinath.m)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [15 February 2023 09:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-contrib-simple-message-queue/74825 "2023-02-15T09:26:05Z")

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Hi , i am facing some problem using simple message queue . i have placed this node ahead of azure iot hub .as when the messages received it will get buffered into queue and when i send trigger command from PLC Queue wil…

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## [Using the default node names feature in NR 3.0](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-the-default-node-names-feature-in-nr-3-0/75021)

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**Author:** [@drmibell](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/drmibell)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [11 February 2023 21:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/using-the-default-node-names-feature-in-nr-3-0/75021 "2023-02-11T21:13:03Z")

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I would like to use the default node naming process introduced in NR version 3.0 in one of my contributed nodes. I also want to leverage it to define another node property (outputTopic) in the code below. onadd: functio…

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