# Getting "TypeError: global.get is not a function" when trying to use an NPM package
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834
**Category:** Developing Nodes
**Created:** [7 April 2021 22:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834 "2021-04-07T22:11:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@vegabook](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/vegabook)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 22:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/1 "2021-04-07T22:11:18Z")
I'm trying to use the [phoenix-channels](https://www.npmjs.com/package/phoenix-channels) package on npm inside a node that I'm creating. I'm following [the instructions](https://nodered.org/docs/user-guide/writing-functions#loading-additional-modules). I've got it working fine in nodejs on its own.
```auto
const { Socket } = require('phoenix-channels')
let socket = new Socket("https://192.168.1.113:4445/socket")
socket.connect()
// Now that you are connected, you can join channels with a topic:
let channel = socket.channel("room:lobby", {})
channel.on("new_msg", payload => {
console.log(`${payload.body}`);
});
channel.join()
.receive("ok", resp => { console.log("Joined successfully", resp) })
.receive("error", resp => { console.log("Unable to join", resp) })
```
I've installed phoenix channels under the `~/.node-red` and I can see it:
I've added it to my settings.js file:
Now the instructions say I can use it by referencing the "phxModule" which is how I named it in the above settings.js file. My node does appear in the editor, but I get this error:
Now (and I'm not a javascript expert), what's wrong with the node code that I'm using? I thought I was supposed to, as per the instructions linked above, reference it using `global.get`?
```auto
š¦tbrowne@nano:~/code/node-red-nodes/phoenix$ cat phoenix.js
module.exports = function(RED) {
function PhoenixNode(config) {
RED.nodes.createNode(this,config);
var node = this;
node.on('input', function(msg) {
msg.payload = msg.payload.toLowerCase();
node.send(msg);
});
const { Socket } = global.get('phxModule');
let socket = new Socket("https://192.168.1.113:4445/socket");
socket.connect();
let channel = socket.channel("room:lobby", {});
console.log("hello from phoenix node");
channel.on("new_msg", payload => {
node.send({"payload": payload});
});
channel.join()
.receive("ok", resp => { node.send({"payload": resp}) })
.receive("error", resp => { node.send({"payload": "Unable to join"}) })
}
RED.nodes.registerType("phoenix",PhoenixNode);
}
```
Why am I getting this `TypeError: global.get is not a function` issue?
---
### Author:  [@chrisn-au](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/chrisn-au)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 23:10 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/2 "2021-04-07T23:10:11Z")
Hi,
I am guessing as I have never created a module however I think to access the contexts you would need to do
```auto
const globalContext = node.context().global
const { Socket } = globalContext.get('phxModule');
```
I am not sure but give it a go
Chris
---
### Author:  [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 23:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/3 "2021-04-07T23:24:46Z")
The functionGlobalContext object is used to expose modules to the Function node.
If you are creating a custom node, you can require it directly in your code - do not use global context.
---
### Author:  [@chrisn-au](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/chrisn-au)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 23:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/4 "2021-04-07T23:33:40Z")
Nick, thanks - Is this documented ? - I could not see it in the creating nodes section of the documentation. Happy to create a pull request to add if appropriate
Chris
---
### Author:  [@vegabook](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/vegabook)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 23:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/5 "2021-04-07T23:39:00Z")
agreed. This wasn't clear in my (admittedly new user) opinion.
---
### Author:  [@vegabook](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/vegabook)
#### Post date: [7 April 2021 23:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/6 "2021-04-07T23:41:41Z")
works like a dream! Now [Elixir Phoenix channels](https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix/channels.html) can talk to Node Red. Might doll up this node and publish it once I've added all the bells and whistles!
---
### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [21 April 2021 23:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/getting-typeerror-global-get-is-not-a-function-when-trying-to-use-an-npm-package/43834/7 "2021-04-21T23:42:17Z")
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