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Project Settings

The Settings button in the editor toolbar lets you configure how the Run button behaves and which files are executed when you click it.

Execution modes​

Every project has one of two execution modes, set in the Settings modal:

Server mode (default)​

Runs your project as an Express server. The Run button compiles all .blueprint files and spawns node server.js (or a custom entry file you specify).

  • Entry file (optional): Leave blank to auto-detect via a scan for the express.listen node (the default, and how projects worked before settings existed). Or pick a specific .blueprint file from the dropdown — the Run button validates that it contains an express.listen node before running.
  • Backward compatible: Existing projects with no settings file default to Server mode with auto-detect, so the Run button works unchanged on day one.

Script mode​

Runs the currently open .blueprint file as a plain Node.js script (no Express requirement). Useful for running helper files, logic libraries, or any standalone code without the overhead of a full server. The Run button reads Run <filename>.js (dynamic, showing the currently open file).

  • No entry file needed — whichever .blueprint file you have open in the editor runs.
  • Any file is valid — no requirement for express.init or express.listen nodes. Pure-logic helper functions, math libraries, data processors — whatever you write compiles and executes.

Accessing Settings​

  1. Click the Settings button in the toolbar (next to Browse Nodes).
  2. The Settings modal opens.
  3. Select Server or Script mode via the radio buttons.
  4. If Server mode: optionally pick an entry file from the dropdown (or leave blank for auto-detect).
  5. Click Save to persist, or Cancel to discard changes.

Settings file​

Settings are saved to visual-node-project-settings.json at your project root. This is a regular, discoverable project file (not hidden like .visualnode/plugins/) and is safe to commit to version control:

{
  "mode": "server",
  "entryFile": "server.blueprint"
}
{
  "mode": "script"
}

You can also edit this file by hand, though the Settings modal is the recommended approach for avoid typos.

Switching modes mid-project​

It's safe to switch between Server and Script mode at any time. The Run button's behavior updates immediately:

  • Switch to Server mode: Run button reads "Run Server"; compiles and spawns a server.
  • Switch to Script mode: Run button reads "Run <filename>.js"; runs the open file as a script.

If you switch to Server mode after using Script mode, the Run button falls back to auto-detect (scanning for express.listen) unless you explicitly configured an entry file.