# How to debug Function "Error: Module not allowed"

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177>\
**Category:** General\
**Tags:** function-node\
**Created:** [5 October 2024 11:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177 "2024-10-05T11:30:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [5 October 2024 11:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/1 "2024-10-05T11:30:02Z")

</div>

Hello All!

I am working with function nodes and trying to import several different js modules with varying success. This one has me rather stumped.

warpjs, a tool for manipulating SVGs. It acts like it loads then says it is not allowed. There is not any other information I seem to find to give me any idea why. I have an older 3.0.2 NR version with 16.x node.js and had warpjs installed without error (although not yet implemented).

NodeRed v4.03  
node.js tried 18 and 20 same result.  
settings.js is stock

How can I determine what is at the core of the rejection?

> 5 Oct 06:12:06 - [info] Installing module: warpjs, version: latest  
> 5 Oct 06:12:14 - [info] Installed module: warpjs  
> 5 Oct 06:12:14 - [info] Starting flows  
> 5 Oct 06:12:15 - [error] [function:0dea637d61d8eab4] Error: Module not allowed

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![marcus-j-davies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/marcus-j-davies/32/103435_2.png) [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Post date:** [5 October 2024 12:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/2 "2024-10-05T12:16:20Z")

</div>

I have no problem in loading warpjs.  
So how are you actually loading it in a function node?

But also, looking at the repo - its meant to be used on the DOM no?, not server side - therefore won't work in a flow?

I ask, as the constructor is asking for a DOM element

Could be wrong of course

 ![Screenshot 2024-10-05 at 13.14.20](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/6/9/699cd0692f94041ecf3f36b61365fa6dead2f882.png)

```auto
[{"id":"d4f72602eb0aee8b","type":"function","z":"2d7bf6e3.84c97a","name":"function 3","func":"return {payload:{warpjs:warpjs.toString()}}","outputs":1,"timeout":0,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","libs":[{"var":"warpjs","module":"warpjs"}],"x":400,"y":1820,"wires":[["d27d62f20acc64e8"]]},{"id":"1e28ce1d1e835ff5","type":"inject","z":"2d7bf6e3.84c97a","name":"","props":[{"p":"payload"},{"p":"topic","vt":"str"}],"repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"topic":"","payload":"","payloadType":"date","x":200,"y":1820,"wires":[["d4f72602eb0aee8b"]]},{"id":"d27d62f20acc64e8","type":"debug","z":"2d7bf6e3.84c97a","name":"debug 394","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","statusVal":"","statusType":"auto","x":590,"y":1820,"wires":[]}]

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [5 October 2024 12:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/3 "2024-10-05T12:51:19Z")

</div>

Thanks for taking a look.

I am loading it the same as you did in to the setup tab of the function.

When I tried your sample, it gives me the same rejection notice.

Which version of NR and nodejs are you running (I too get it to run in older versions)?

Regarding the DOM needed or not, I have not fully tested the workflow to make sure there are not other issues. I think it will work with the path only data of an svg, but if not, I am also trying to get svgDOM working within NR as it is a headless approach. That is another quirky integration of its own.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [5 October 2024 13:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/4 "2024-10-05T13:17:57Z")

</div>

> <https://github.com/benjamminf/warpjs/issues/14#issuecomment-536807389>
>
> This is a question, not an issue.
> I would like to use warp on a single glyph fr…om a .svg font, in a node script.
> 
> Right now I am loading the .svg font file as a string, looping over the glyphs, and doing things to each glyph's 'd' parameter data. This is the path that draws the glyph.
> 
> I would like to pass either the path(as string) or the glyph (as a string) to the warp object, manipulate it, and then return the path/glyp (still as string) so I can update it on the string that represents the font file and then write it to disk.
> 
> Can this be done, or does warp need the full svg? Also, can I pass string to warp, and how do I return it or update it ?
> 
> Thank you

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [6 October 2024 00:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/5 "2024-10-06T00:32:54Z")

</div>

Thanks. That is what I was thinking it could do. From that information, I would expect it to work outside of the browser for my needs. I am only needing it for path alteration, not DOM work.

Do you have any idea why it might be "not allowed" in the current 4.03 NR?

Or any idea where I might find general info on how to determine if a module is compatible with NR in general?

I have an assortment of modules I have been testing with varying results. Some work without a hitch, some rejected as with warpjs, then others that only work half the time as with svgDOM for example. I would like to avoid wasting anyone's time if I could just figure out both how to determine if a module is compatible and how to debug/determine what needs to be revised to allow it to be compatible on my own.

thanks again

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [6 October 2024 06:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/6 "2024-10-06T06:34:43Z")

</div>

As already demonstrated by @marcus-j-davies there is no reason it should not work.

 ![Screenshot 2024-10-06 07.19.19](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/2/3/23f18c311c815701a2ba24a7a002655930fcd216.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/f/6/f66a48e43610e5370fc342eb10c8fe5051fd4cec.png)

The only setting that prevents modules loading is in the [settings.js file](https://nodered.org/docs/user-guide/runtime/configuration) under `externalModules.modules.denyList`

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> Or any idea where I might find general info on how to determine if a module is compatible with NR in general?

In general, if the module is well defined, it should be installable. Depending on how the module exports its definition (Common JS, ESM, UMD, other) will determine how you use it (or if possible at all). Typically all CJS will work. For the others, it depends...

Based on your comments and talk of SVG and DOM, you are in for a rough ride trying to do this server side (in a function node, AKA in nodejs not Browser). There are some libraries that mimic the browser DOM like `jsDOM` but from my experience, SVG is not well supported (for example [SVGGraphicsElement: getBBox()](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/SVGGraphicsElement/getBBox) typically either doesnt work or returns 0) however, depending on what you are tryng to achieve, that might be enough.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [7 October 2024 14:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/7 "2024-10-07T14:35:08Z")

</div>

Thanks Steve.

I wasn't sure which version marcus was running to have success. The 3.x setup I have runs fine, while the 3.x upgraded to 4.x did not. I started trying to revert my 4.x to older versions as a forensic test to see which version started giving me trouble, but I hit it with too big of a hammer and somehow corrupted the install. I started over with a fresh rpi 4 OS and node red install to the current of everything, and it runs warpjs as it should. I don't know if the upgrade from 3 to 4 had some issue, or if other combined stuff was the culprit, but it does look like something was bad with my system.

I will educate myself on the different module definitions you mentioned. That should help for troubleshooting the other modules that do not fully run.

Regarding svg work in nodejs instead of browser, my application is a 2 axis CNC controller. The svg work is path only. I am bringing in svg files/paths and allowing the user to make some edits via dashboard where I will apply changes in function nodes. At least that is what I am working on for now. It looks like I can get there from here, with a little bit of pain, to prove everything out and get to the next phase.

Thanks for all the help!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 08:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/8 "2024-10-14T08:23:17Z")

</div>

@Steve-Mcl  
Having fun here digging in the rabbit hole. Even though the warpjs developer says he intended to keep a lot of the DOM related code separated, it calls a query right away that stops the action. For those that may find this and do not need the full functionality of what warpjs can do, I did find an updated yet stripped version that works server side in NR here [@remotion/paths](https://www.remotion.dev/docs/paths)

My current approach is to go ahead and clear the warpjs module of DOM stuff and load it locally. After much failed searching, I could not find current details on a few related nuggets. I hope you may be able to enlighten me on the answers or point out any documentation to shed some light.

- I looked in ".node-red/node\_modules" and did not see any of the modules I have been testing from within the function setup tab. Where does the NR 4.x store user external modules on an rpi install?

- Where should a local, not npm installed, module be stored and what is the proper syntax for the function setup tab to load it?

Thank you!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 08:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/9 "2024-10-14T08:31:41Z")

</div>

The function node setup tab depends on modules from the NPM registry.

Instead, you will need to use the older method of `functionGlobalContext` (docs: [Writing Functions : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/docs/user-guide/writing-functions#loading-additional-modules))

So in your case (some assumptions made)

in your settings.js, locate `functionGlobalContext`,uncomment it, add your reference(s)

```auto
...
functionGlobalContext: {
    mySvgModule: require('my-modules/svg_stuff.js') // probably wise to keep stuff relative to .node_red
}
...

```

then in a function node

```auto
const mySvgModule = global.get('mySvgModule')

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 09:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/10 "2024-10-14T09:52:48Z")

</div>

Thank you! I was thinking I could use the setup in function to load modules. I didn't realize the functionGlobalContext was the appropriate method.

I am still trying to get it to see my module, which for some error on my part it is not, and in trying I noticed that the function does not throw an error if the required module does not exist. For example, I can use your literal note in the function and it will not error that mySvgModule does not exist.

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> `const mySvgModule = global.get('mySvgModule')`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 10:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/11 "2024-10-14T10:05:44Z")

</div>

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> it will not error that mySvgModule does not exist.

If it does not exist then `mySvgModule` will be `undefined`.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 10:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/12 "2024-10-14T10:27:47Z")

</div>

`require` will (should) throw **MODULE\_NOT\_FOUND** which would crash Node-RED on start up so I suspect it is working. Or, you edited the wrong settings file and you are not _really_ loading the module. Try putting console.logs in the module.

Also,

Is your module actually exporting anything?

Is you function doing anything other than `const mySvgModule = global.get('mySvgModule')`?

EDIT:  
It may seem obvious to me but i will also state for clarity, you **must** restart node-red for it to load the settings file (and thus load your module)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 10:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/13 "2024-10-14T10:43:08Z")

</div>

I did an npm install in the .node-red directory of the existing module I want to start modifying. It added it to the expected .node-red/node\_modules directory. I don't know if starting off this way made a mess already.

Undefined, yes. That is what I see. I was assuming an error would be thrown.

@Steve-Mcl Even with using completely random global.get parameters, not seeing any errors and NR is not crashing. I have restarted NR and after every settings.js change.

.node-red/settings.js file... should it be the /usr/lib/node\_modules/node-red/settings.js?

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> Is your module actually exporting anything?
> 
> Is you function doing anything other than `const mySvgModule = global.get('mySvgModule')`?

edit: My function initially, yes. Since it was not acting happy, I made a new function with only that line and sent mySvgModule to payload and saw it was undefined.  
The module is the warpjs module I am trying to start editing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 10:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/14 "2024-10-14T10:55:12Z")

</div>

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> .node-red/settings.js file... should it be the /usr/lib/node\_modules/node-red/settings.js?

No.

The settings file is displayed in your start up log when you start node-red.

You should undo edits to this file. This is the NR source & it will/can affect future instances of node-red.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 10:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/15 "2024-10-14T10:56:21Z")

</div>

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> @Steve-Mcl Even with using completely random global.get parameters, not seeing any errors and NR is not crashing.

thats not what I said. i said:

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> `require` will (should) throw **MODULE\_NOT\_FOUND** which would crash Node-RED on start up

i.e. using `require` is a settings file thing - nothing to do with `global.get`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 11:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/16 "2024-10-14T11:03:38Z")

</div>

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> i.e. using `require` is a settings file thing - nothing to do with `global.get`

Yes yes. My bad. I had also tested making bad module names and locations in settings.js at the require statements and it didn't seem to care. I jumbled two post thoughts into one mess. Sorry.

Did I miss a module loading permission somewhere that is keeping NR from looking at the functionGlobalContext?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 11:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/17 "2024-10-14T11:07:15Z")

</div>

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> Yes yes. My bad. I had also tested making bad module names and locations in settings.js at the require statements and it didn't seem to care.

It wont. you are editing the wrong file

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> > [@MadTooler](#):
> >
> > .node-red/settings.js file... should it be the /usr/lib/node\_modules/node-red/settings.js?
> 
> No.
> 
> The settings file is displayed in your start up log when you start node-red.

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> You should undo edits to this file. This is the NR source & it will/can affect future instances of node-red.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 11:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/18 "2024-10-14T11:13:29Z")

</div>

These are several attempts in editing the settings.js listed in NR startup log. All of them allow NR to start without any mention of trouble that I am seeing.

```auto
> functionGlobalContext: {
> //Warp:require('warpjs')
> //warpit:require('warp.js')
> //warpit:require('node_modules/warpjs/src/Warp.js')
> warpit:require('node_modules/warpjs')
> // os:require('os'),
> },

```

Startup:

> testpi@testpi:~ $ sudo node-red start  
> 14 Oct 06:05:22 - [info]
> 
> # Welcome to Node-RED
> 
> 14 Oct 06:05:22 - [info] Node-RED version: v4.0.3  
> 14 Oct 06:05:22 - [info] Node.js version: v20.18.0  
> 14 Oct 06:05:22 - [info] Linux 6.6.51+rpt-rpi-v8 arm64 LE  
> 14 Oct 06:05:22 - [info] Loading palette nodes  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] Settings file : /root/.node-red/settings.js  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] Context store : 'default' [module=memory]  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] User directory : /root/.node-red  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [warn] Projects disabled : editorTheme.projects.enabled=false  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] Flows file : /root/.node-red/start  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] Server now running at [http://127.0.0.1:1880/](http://127.0.0.1:1880/)  
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [warn]
> 
> * * *
> 
> Your flow credentials file is encrypted using a system-generated key.
> 
> If the system-generated key is lost for any reason, your credentials  
> file will not be recoverable, you will have to delete it and re-enter  
> your credentials.
> 
> ## You should set your own key using the 'credentialSecret' option in your settings file. Node-RED will then re-encrypt your credentials file using your chosen key the next time you deploy a change.
> 
> 14 Oct 06:05:23 - [info] Starting flows  
> 14 Oct 06:05:24 - [info] Started flows

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MadTooler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/madtooler/32/76728_2.png) [@MadTooler](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/MadTooler)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 11:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/19 "2024-10-14T11:19:44Z")

</div>

test nodes

```auto
[
    {
        "id": "6241f6afe031be07",
        "type": "function",
        "z": "5a1c05cfa61f358b",
        "name": "testing warp local edit",
        "func": "const warpit = global.get('warpit');\n\nvar path_data = msg.payload;\n//node.warn(path_data); \n\nvar bpoints = msg.bpoints;\n//node.warn(bpoints);\n\nvar buffers = msg.buffers;\n//node.warn(buffers);\n\nconst newWarp = new warpit.Warp(path_data);\n//const warp = new Warp(path_data);\n//warp.interpolate(4);\nconsole.log(newWarp);\n\nreturn msg;\n\n\n\n",
        "outputs": 1,
        "timeout": 0,
        "noerr": 0,
        "initialize": "",
        "finalize": "",
        "libs": [],
        "x": 560,
        "y": 220,
        "wires": [
            [
                "21ad1bc9baee811e"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "f20d4b2c05b41614",
        "type": "inject",
        "z": "5a1c05cfa61f358b",
        "name": "send path and related items",
        "props": [
            {
                "p": "payloadBak",
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```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2024 11:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177/20 "2024-10-14T11:30:34Z")

</div>

Please clarify which file you are editing.

At first you said:

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> .node-red/settings.js file... should it be the /usr/lib/node\_modules/node-red/settings.js?

So that could be `.node-red/settings.js` or ` /usr/lib/node_modules/node-red/settings.js`

You have not stated which and also, the first is a relative path (it could be anywhere).

The EXACT and complete path is listed in your settings file...

> [@MadTooler](#):
>
> [info] Settings file : /root/.node-red/settings.js

... that one ☝ (in the `/root`\*\* dir) is what you should edit.

* * *

\*\* running node-red as root is not advised and most often NOT necessary!  
Unless it is a conscious decision and for a required reason & all possible security measures have been taken, you should NOT start node-red with `sudo` or an administrative/privileged account.

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-debug-function-error-module-not-allowed/92177.md?page=2)