Solving the Mysterious Case of “NPM Run Build from shell_exec not working giving sh: vite: command not found”

Are you tired of pulling your hair out trying to figure out why your NPM run build command isn’t working from shell_exec, only to be met with the frustrating error message “sh: vite: command not found”? Well, fear not, dear developer, for today we’re going to dive deep into the world of Node.js, shell_exec, and Vite to solve this pesky problem once and for all!

What’s the Problem, Anyway?

Before we get started, let’s take a step back and understand what’s happening here. When you run `npm run build` from your terminal, everything works as expected. But as soon as you try to execute the same command using PHP’s `shell_exec()` function, you’re met with an error message that suggests Vite can’t be found. But why is that?

It’s All About the Environment, Baby!

The root of the problem lies in the difference between the environment in which your terminal runs and the environment in which `shell_exec()` runs. When you run `npm run build` from your terminal, you’re running it in your user environment, where all the necessary paths and variables are set up correctly. However, when you use `shell_exec()`, it runs in a separate shell instance, which doesn’t have access to your user environment variables.

This means that when `shell_exec()` runs `npm run build`, it doesn’t have the correct path to Vite, resulting in the “command not found” error. But fear not, we can fix this!

Solution 1: Use the Full Path to Vite

One way to solve this problem is to specify the full path to Vite in your `npm run build` command. This tells the shell exactly where to find Vite, even when running from `shell_exec()`.

// Instead of this:
$output = shell_exec('npm run build');

// Use this:
$output = shell_exec('/usr/local/bin/vite build');

By specifying the full path to Vite, we ensure that the shell can find it, even when running from `shell_exec()`. However, this solution has a few drawbacks.

• It’s not very flexible, as you need to hardcode the path to Vite.
• It may not work if Vite is installed globally, but not in the system’s PATH.

Solution 2: Set the PATH Environment Variable

A better solution is to set the PATH environment variable before running `npm run build` from `shell_exec()`. This tells the shell to look for Vite in the correct locations.

// Set the PATH environment variable
putenv('PATH=' . getenv('PATH') . ':/usr/local/bin');

// Run npm run build
$output = shell_exec('npm run build');

By setting the PATH environment variable, we’re telling the shell to include the directory where Vite is installed in its search path. This way, when we run `npm run build`, the shell can find Vite correctly.

Solution 3: Use a Node.js Script Instead

If you’re using PHP to execute Node.js scripts, why not take it a step further and use a Node.js script to execute your build command? This way, you can avoid the environment variable issues altogether!

// Create a new Node.js script (e.g., build.js)
const { exec } = require('child_process');

exec('npm run build', (error, stdout, stderr) => {
  if (error) {
    console.error(`exec error: ${error}`);
    return;
  }
  console.log(`stdout: ${stdout}`);
  console.log(`stderr: ${stderr}`);
});

Then, in your PHP script, you can execute this Node.js script using `shell_exec()`:

$output = shell_exec('node build.js');

This solution is more flexible and scalable, as you can use Node.js to execute any command or script you need.

Conclusion

Solving the “NPM Run Build from shell_exec not working giving sh: vite: command not found” error is all about understanding the environment differences between your terminal and `shell_exec()`. By using one of the solutions outlined above, you can ensure that your build command runs correctly from PHP.

Remember, the key to success lies in understanding the environment and adapting your approach to fit your needs. Whether you choose to specify the full path to Vite, set the PATH environment variable, or use a Node.js script, the most important thing is to find a solution that works for you and your project.

Solution	Pros	Cons
Use the Full Path to Vite	Easy to implement	Inflexible, may not work with global Vite installations
Set the PATH Environment Variable	Flexible, works with global Vite installations	May require additional configuration
Use a Node.js Script	Flexible, scalable, and easy to maintain	Requires additional Node.js script

So, which solution will you choose? Whatever you decide, remember that with a little creativity and perseverance, you can overcome even the most frustrating errors and get back to building amazing things!

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