In many of my function nodes, I use more-or-less standard subroutines. In stead of copy/paste these blocks of code every time I create a new function node, I would like to include them from a library. Is this possible?

Hi @manjha Do you mean you have a set of subroutines, that is then duplicated in other function Nodes, where you need them in said function nodes?

There are a few approaches. You could store your functions in flow or global context in 1 "master function" node then call them from your other function nodes You could require a js file containing your functions via the settings.js file You could do this the "node-red way"/visual flow way by crea…

Instead of 2, you could also create a plugin. I do this with UIBUILDER in order to create shared code functions. There are also a few uibuilder function extensions made available to function nodes.

Thanks @Steve-Mcl ! I was familiar with options 2-4, but not aware that you can store functions in context vars. Turns out you can also send functions as msg properties (to server nodes only, not to dashboard widgets). This is super cool. It allows to design generic (base-class) nodes which receive…

Interesting, thanks for your reply! Could you provide an example for option 3?

Yes, that’s it. For instance, for storing info into flatfile logs, I use a standardized date/time as part of the record. This is a small subroutine that I copy to function nodes when I need them. This would be a candidate. Another example is setting up a command for Domoticz, the subroutine expects…

[image] manjha: Could you provide an example for option 3? There are hundreds of examples all over this forum. Load test with hundreds of JSON messages - #13 by Steve-Mcl How to process multiple data - #7 by Steve-Mcl More... There is a built in importable demo too CTRL-I [image]

Include external code in function

Developing Nodes

jbudd 17 August 2025 15:23 6

There is a discussion about pros and cons of storing functions in context variables at https://discourse.nodered.org/t/first-flow-on-all-my-rpis/88878

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Include external code in function

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