# Developing Nodes

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

[Latest](https://discourse.nodered.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.nodered.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discourse.nodered.org/tags.md)

**Page:** 16

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## [Reacting to central config node change](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/reacting-to-central-config-node-change/73036)

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**Author:** [@Vahdettin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Vahdettin)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [8 January 2023 00:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/reacting-to-central-config-node-change/73036 "2023-01-08T00:57:55Z")

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Can anybody explain or clarify how to create a node that uses a central config node for a global config? What I'm trying do is this: Open regular node. Open parent config node. Update config. Close config node. Apply …

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## [Input needed for a fix in the dropbox node (refresh tokens)](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/input-needed-for-a-fix-in-the-dropbox-node-refresh-tokens/72949)

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**Author:** [@BartButenaers](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/BartButenaers)\
**Replies:** 38\
**Last updated:** [6 January 2023 22:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/input-needed-for-a-fix-in-the-dropbox-node-refresh-tokens/72949 "2023-01-06T22:06:50Z")

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Hi folks, Some time ago we have announced version 2.0.0 of the dropbox node, which allowed to get a refresh token from Dropbox. Such a refresh token has a long life, and can be used to obtain periodically new access to…

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## [Showing error message in a dialog](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/showing-error-message-in-a-dialog/73089)

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**Author:** [@syedhannan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/syedhannan)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [3 January 2023 12:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/showing-error-message-in-a-dialog/73089 "2023-01-03T12:07:33Z")

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I wanted to know is there any way to show error messages other than in the debug console. For example in editor if the user authentication fails then is it possible to show a dialog showing the error instead in the debu…

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## [Unittest node helper and npm dependency issues](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unittest-node-helper-and-npm-dependency-issues/72928)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [3 January 2023 06:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unittest-node-helper-and-npm-dependency-issues/72928 "2023-01-03T06:33:42Z")

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I'm facing a weird npm dependency issue when trying to install node-red-node-test-helper with custom nodes and a globally installed Node-RED v2.0.5. The expected dependency situation is like this: All custom nodes sha…

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## [Need help debugging a unittest](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/need-help-debugging-a-unittest/72413)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [23 December 2022 09:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/need-help-debugging-a-unittest/72413 "2022-12-23T09:23:19Z")

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I build a custom node and want to unittest it using node-red-node-test-helper. I first make a custom flow in Node-RED and exported it. Then I follow the examples to turn that flow json object into a pure node array. Fin…

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## [Does typedInput save typed values?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/does-typedinput-save-typed-values/72972)

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**Author:** [@tve](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tve)\
**Replies:** 16\
**Last updated:** [2 January 2023 22:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/does-typedinput-save-typed-values/72972 "2023-01-02T22:48:56Z")

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I'm always confused about what typedInput saves into the node and wonder whether I'm doing something wrong or this is as-designed... If I have a typedInput and select the number type or boolean type, will the node get a…

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## [Is there another solution instead using $.getScript(..) for once add external client javascript in created node html file?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-there-another-solution-instead-using-getscript-for-once-add-external-client-javascript-in-created-node-html-file/73048)

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**Author:** [@studiobox](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/studiobox)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [2 January 2023 20:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-there-another-solution-instead-using-getscript-for-once-add-external-client-javascript-in-created-node-html-file/73048 "2023-01-02T20:51:43Z")

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Hi, At first, I have follow bellow topic for add external client javascript in created node html file. Include JS in a html custom module - General - Node-RED Forum (nodered.org) Include JS in a html custom module - G…

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## [Creating nodes - class concept](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-nodes-class-concept/73035)

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**Author:** [@agmacedo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/agmacedo)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [2 January 2023 14:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/creating-nodes-class-concept/73035 "2023-01-02T14:14:41Z")

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What is the best way to create new nodes and use it in Node-red app. Something like the class concepts in c#. My idea is to create a node to use as a template in different situations, like a form data enter to transfer d…

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## [Best practices for console.log in contrib nodes?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-practices-for-console-log-in-contrib-nodes/72997)

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**Author:** [@dudest](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dudest)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [31 December 2022 17:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-practices-for-console-log-in-contrib-nodes/72997 "2022-12-31T17:51:14Z")

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Hello, I'd like my custom nodes to log in the seamlessly in terminal window or in the debug window. I was wondering if there are any best practices for this or a util that's available that will handle the timestamping a…

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## [Can a node property be an object?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-a-node-property-be-an-object/72968)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 11\
**Last updated:** [30 December 2022 23:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-a-node-property-be-an-object/72968 "2022-12-30T23:09:27Z")

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I am trying to create a generic node for uibuilder that is capable of creating many different HTML elements, some of which may be compound (e.g. multiple HTML elements). For this I need to be able to have a variable set…

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## [Setting this.credentials.someKey = undefined has no affect](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/setting-this-credentials-somekey-undefined-has-no-affect/72971)

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**Author:** [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [30 December 2022 22:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/setting-this-credentials-somekey-undefined-has-no-affect/72971 "2022-12-30T22:51:24Z")

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So... I have some very specific value handling (I am migrating a sizeable project to Typescript) I am using a configuration node for most of my configuration. In this config, I have some value manipulation on the one…

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## [Is there a way to create tabs inside the editor?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-tabs-inside-the-editor/72863)

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**Author:** [@syedhannan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/syedhannan)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [29 December 2022 15:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-create-tabs-inside-the-editor/72863 "2022-12-29T15:36:17Z")

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I have a list of text fields which I want to keep under separate tabs depending on the category. I wanted to know if it is possible to create tabs inside the editor so that I can place the text fields in appropriate cat…

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## [Node Creation oneditprepare](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-creation-oneditprepare/72840)

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**Author:** [@Flachmann](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Flachmann)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [29 December 2022 11:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-creation-oneditprepare/72840 "2022-12-29T11:43:50Z")

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Hi, I used the first node example from the Node-RED documentation to wrote a first little node. Thanks for that easy to understand example anyway. I enhanced the example to not only use msg.payload as input, but a confi…

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## [How to focus on entered letter in select tag inside editor?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-focus-on-entered-letter-in-select-tag-inside-editor/72862)

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**Author:** [@syedhannan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/syedhannan)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [29 December 2022 11:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-focus-on-entered-letter-in-select-tag-inside-editor/72862 "2022-12-29T11:04:02Z")

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I am listing time zones inside my select tag in editor. Is there any way by which I can type from keyboard and create a focus on that particular option?

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## [How can I use a function from .js file in the oneditprepare function?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-can-i-use-a-function-from-js-file-in-the-oneditprepare-function/72753)

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**Author:** [@syedhannan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/syedhannan)\
**Replies:** 16\
**Last updated:** [29 December 2022 07:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-can-i-use-a-function-from-js-file-in-the-oneditprepare-function/72753 "2022-12-29T07:58:02Z")

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I have a function which is from a package basic-ftp which allows me to read the list of files in the specified ftp server. I am able to successfully get the output in console of the list of files from my .js file. But I…

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## [Config node not showing](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/config-node-not-showing/72776)

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**Author:** [@Richardmarobert](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Richardmarobert)\
**Replies:** 14\
**Last updated:** [28 December 2022 19:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/config-node-not-showing/72776 "2022-12-28T19:38:15Z")

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Hi, I am trying to create a custom node and the only item I am struggling with is the config node. I have created the files ' anna.js / anna.html /anna-config.js/anna-config.html and a package.json; I've mentioned the no…

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## [Can someone help me, is the code written in node.js, how to convert it to node red?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-someone-help-me-is-the-code-written-in-node-js-how-to-convert-it-to-node-red/72835)

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**Author:** [@tamasvar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tamasvar)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [28 December 2022 15:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-someone-help-me-is-the-code-written-in-node-js-how-to-convert-it-to-node-red/72835 "2022-12-28T15:18:33Z")

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I would like to convert node-red-node-twitter so that a video file can also be uploaded. the code is written in node.js. can anyone help? sample node.js code: Publish Text, Image, Gif, & Video Twitter Posts Using Node.…

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## [How to list all timezones in editor using moment-timezone](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-list-all-timezones-in-editor-using-moment-timezone/72802)

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**Author:** [@syedhannan](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/syedhannan)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [28 December 2022 12:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-list-all-timezones-in-editor-using-moment-timezone/72802 "2022-12-28T12:52:55Z")

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I am creating a select tag in the editor and I want to display the list of all timezones using moment-timezone package Is there any way I can use an external package in my editor? If yes, then how do I need to import i…

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## [How to get config nodes' ids](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-get-config-nodes-ids/72793)

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**Author:** [@Joe-AB1DO](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Joe-AB1DO)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [27 December 2022 23:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-get-config-nodes-ids/72793 "2022-12-27T23:11:03Z")

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Hi all, I am modifying a set of nodes to manage a family of i2c port expander chips. Each chip is configured in a hidden config node, where among other things the i2c bus and i2c address are entered. The i2c bus number …

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## [ReferenceError: Worker is not defined](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/referenceerror-worker-is-not-defined/72769)

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**Author:** [@dudest](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dudest)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [27 December 2022 19:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/referenceerror-worker-is-not-defined/72769 "2022-12-27T19:52:49Z")

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Hello, I'm trying to improve feedback parsing from a device I'm trying to communicate with. I've opened a client connection to the device and the .on('data', callback()) event handler can't process all the feedback fast…

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## [Is it possible to add a new button to a custom node's Editor panel?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-it-possible-to-add-a-new-button-to-a-custom-nodes-editor-panel/72423)

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**Author:** [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [20 December 2022 14:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-it-possible-to-add-a-new-button-to-a-custom-nodes-editor-panel/72423 "2022-12-20T14:07:19Z")

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As the title suggests - can I add a custom button in the top button row of a custom node's Edit panel? As in the red area shown here.

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## [How can custom node create by vue or react web Framework](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-can-custom-node-create-by-vue-or-react-web-framework/72439)

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**Author:** [@baishu](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/baishu)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [20 December 2022 02:00 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-can-custom-node-create-by-vue-or-react-web-framework/72439 "2022-12-20T02:00:39Z")

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custom node can created by vue or react web Framework

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## [How to track dependencies between nodes](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-track-dependencies-between-nodes/72393)

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**Author:** [@tve](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tve)\
**Replies:** 15\
**Last updated:** [20 December 2022 01:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-track-dependencies-between-nodes/72393 "2022-12-20T01:06:27Z")

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One of the things that keeps nagging me in the implementation of FlexDash is the tracking of dependencies between nodes. The std dashboard has exactly the same issue and I'm running into this elsewhere too. I fear there …

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## [Retrieve upstream node name/type](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/retrieve-upstream-node-name-type/72408)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [19 December 2022 11:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/retrieve-upstream-node-name-type/72408 "2022-12-19T11:43:53Z")

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Using the node event handler node.on('input', function (input, send, done) {}) I wonder how I can find the name/type of the upstream node, e.g., if my flow looks like "inject =\> MyNode", then how can MyNode know that i…

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## [How to fix edit panel min-width?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-fix-edit-panel-min-width/72371)

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**Author:** [@tve](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/tve)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [18 December 2022 00:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-fix-edit-panel-min-width/72371 "2022-12-18T00:06:49Z")

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The edit panels of most of my FlexDash nodes somehow get a very wide minimum width. For example, for this FlexDash Container (grid or panel) config node the minimum width looks as follows: How is this minimum width d…

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## [Disable during deployment the config node if no active node](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-during-deployment-the-config-node-if-no-active-node/72355)

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**Author:** [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [17 December 2022 21:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/disable-during-deployment-the-config-node-if-no-active-node/72355 "2022-12-17T21:15:39Z")

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Hi all, I am developing a node whose config node establishes a connection with a server. When all nodes are disabled, the config node remains active and establishes a connection. Would it be possible to add an option d…

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## [Subflow to npm package](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/subflow-to-npm-package/72194)

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**Author:** [@gitmacer](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/gitmacer)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [14 December 2022 14:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/subflow-to-npm-package/72194 "2022-12-14T14:34:53Z")

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Hello, I try to convert my subflow to an npm package but when I install it using "npm install "folderpath" I only get an undefined node. I hope someone can find my mistake and can help me. Thx in advance.

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## [Which Node-RED version starts to support node unittest?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/which-node-red-version-starts-to-support-node-unittest/72024)

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**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [12 December 2022 08:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/which-node-red-version-starts-to-support-node-unittest/72024 "2022-12-12T08:48:41Z")

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I checked the github doc of node-red-node-test-helper. It doesn't say directly, but leaves a number in the package.json: "devDependencies": { "node-red":"^0.18.4", "node-red-node-test-helper": "^0.1.8" } Ju…

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## [Telnet output from geiger counter](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/telnet-output-from-geiger-counter/71998)

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**Author:** [@bgrattan3](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bgrattan3)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [11 December 2022 17:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/telnet-output-from-geiger-counter/71998 "2022-12-11T17:46:08Z")

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Hello, I have a geiger counter which is outputting a telnet stream as follows: CPS, 1, CPM, 13, uSv/hr, 0.07, SLOW CPS, 0, CPM, 13, uSv/hr, 0.07, SLOW CPS, 0, CPM, 13, uSv/hr, 0.07, SLOW CPS, 0, CPM, 13, uSv/hr, 0.0…

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## [JSON schema for a valid flow?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-schema-for-a-valid-flow/72021)

<div class="topic-metadata">

**Author:** [@kakyoism](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kakyoism)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [11 December 2022 10:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-schema-for-a-valid-flow/72021 "2022-12-11T10:56:28Z")

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I'd love to validate a custom flow file against a JSON schema. I assume there is likely one for a generic flow already, right? If that's true, can anyone please point me where it is? Thanks!

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