Nub
nubjs.com
What it is
Nub is a free, open-source Rust toolkit for running TypeScript, JSX and JavaScript with the stock Node binary. It executes modern syntax, supports tsconfig.json, environment files and data-file imports, and does not require a separate build step. Nub loads .env files, watches entrypoints and imported files, and can provision project-pinned Node versions from .node-version, .nvmrc or engines and devEngines. Its script runner handles lifecycle hooks, npm_* variables, forwarded arguments and workspace filters. The installer works with npm, pnpm and Bun lockfiles; Yarn lockfiles are read-only. Supply-chain controls deny dependency build scripts by default, check OSV advisories and delay releases newer than 24 hours, with nub approve-builds for review. Nub includes nubx, GitHub Actions, a container image and deployment guides. It supports Linux, macOS and Windows on listed x64 and arm64 architectures.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Nub is a Rust toolkit that runs TypeScript files and scripts, installs dependencies, and manages Node.js on stock Node.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Integrations
- The documentation lists a GitHub Action and deployment guides for Docker, Vercel, Cloudflare, Railway, Render, AWS Lambda, and Google Cloud Run.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- License
- The site links the project license as MIT.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- CI integration
- Nub provides a GitHub Action that installs Nub, warms the project's Node version, and caches Nub's store in CI.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- CLI runner
- nubx runs local command-line tools or fetches tools that are not installed, following a local-first model like npx.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Container integration
- The documentation provides an official container image at ghcr.io/nubjs/nub.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Environment files
- It loads .env files automatically and supports variable expansion.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Environment support
- When Nub detects a Varlock .env.schema file, it disables its own environment loading and uses Varlock to load and validate the environment.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Install approval
- Users can review and enable skipped install scripts with the nub approve-builds command.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Node compatibility
- Nub runs code on the stock Node binary and describes its file command as flag-for-flag compatible with node.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Node management
- Nub can read version pins from .node-version, .nvmrc, or engines/devEngines and download the requested Node version on demand.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Node version management
- Nub can provision the Node version pinned by a project, downloading it from nodejs.org when it is not already installed.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Package ecosystem support
- Nub documents compatibility with npm, pnpm, Yarn, and Bun package-manager workflows, while its installer writes existing npm, pnpm, or bun lockfiles and treats yarn.lock as read-only.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Package manager
- Nub install is a pnpm-compatible package manager that can round-trip npm, pnpm, and bun lockfiles; Yarn lockfiles are read-only.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Package manager compatibility
- The installer reads and writes npm, pnpm, or Bun lockfiles; Yarn lockfiles are read-only.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Requirements
- Augmented modes require Node 18.19 or newer and support macOS, Linux, and Windows on the listed x64 and arm64 architectures.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Runtime
- It runs TypeScript, JSX, and JavaScript files on the stock Node binary without requiring a separate build step.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Script runner
- The script runner supports package lifecycle hooks, npm_* environment variables, argument forwarding, and pnpm-style workspace filters.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Supply-chain protections
- The installer denies dependency build scripts by default, checks OSV advisories, and holds back releases younger than 24 hours.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- TypeScript runtime
- Nub runs TypeScript, JSX, and modern syntax directly with support for tsconfig.json, environment files, and data-file imports.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
- Watch mode
- Its watch command restarts an application when its entrypoint or transitively imported files change.Read 4 Oct 2026 · nubjs.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs TypeScript without a build step
- Automatic project Node provisioning
- Lockfile support for npm, pnpm and Bun
- Dependency build scripts denied by default
- Workspace and offline-cache support
Limits
- Yarn lockfiles are read-only
- Augmented modes require Node 18.19 or newer
- Supported architectures are limited to listed x64 and arm64
Who it suits
Nub suits JavaScript and TypeScript developers who want Node-compatible execution, project Node management and package workflows across major desktop platforms.
Verdict
Nub combines a direct TypeScript runtime with Node version management, package installation and supply-chain safeguards. Its broad tooling supports common JavaScript workflows, while Yarn write support and older Node environments have stated limits.
Where Specifiction places it
- JavaScript Package Managers#14 of 197.3
