Dropin package

The easiest way to integrate your own scripts/tools to command launcher

What is dropin package? and why do I need it? #

A dropin package is a package that is only available on the local machine, rather than managed by the remote repository. It allows developers to integrate their own scripts/tools into Command Launcher to benefit from the features provided by the command launcher, such as auto-complete, monitoring, etc.

For example, you probably already have lots of shell scripts to maintain your infrastructure. Writing auto-completion for all these scripts is time consuming and it is difficult to remember which script does what, and what parameters they accept. Writing a manifest.mf file is enough to let Command Launcher manage these scripts for you with auto-complete, secret management, and monitoring.

A dropin package is also a good way for you to develop and test your Command Launcher package, as it follows the same structure as a regular package.

How to create a dropin package? #

1. identify the dropins folder: run the following command:

   cola config dropin_folder
   

   If the dropin folder returned by the command doesn’t exist, create it.

2. create a package folder in the dropin folder, let’s say, a package named my-first-package. You can name it whatever you want.

3. add a manifest.mf file in the newly created package folder, follow the MANIFEST guide to define your commands in this file. Note: you can copy your scripts in the package folder and use {{.PackageDir}} to reference the package location in your manifest file.

4. run cola any time to test your command

How to share a dropin package with others? #

A dropin package is simply a directory with manifest.mf file in it; the best way to share a dropin package is to push it to a git repository and ask others to clone it in their own dropin folder.

Starting from 1.7.0, you can use the built-in install command to install a dropin package hosted in a git repository or a zip file:

cola package install --git https://github.com/criteo/command-launcher-package-example

If you uploaded your package to an HTTP server as a zip file, you can install it with cola install --file

cola package install --file https://github.com/criteo/command-launcher/raw/main/examples/remote-repo/command-launcher-demo-1.0.0.pkg

How to update a dropin package? #

Command Launcher does not currently update the dropin folder automatically, it is up to developers themselves to keep these dropin packages up-to-date.