Local testing

Run your plugin during development without packaging or publishing.

Steps

1. Start the Dot X application (this launches the plugin server on port 3001)

2. From your plugin directory, run the plugin:

   Node:

   npm run build
   npm start

   Deno:

   deno task start

3. The plugin connects, registers, and calls onLoad(). Watch for logs in:

   • The Dot X application UI
   • plugin.log inside your plugin folder
   • Your terminal output

Hot reload

Deno: Pass --watch to restart on file changes:

deno run --allow-all --watch main.ts

Node: Re-run npm run build && npm start after each change, or use a watcher.

Custom port

If you changed the plugin server port, set the environment variable before starting:

DOTX_PLUGIN_PORT=3002 npm start

Tips

• Keep onUnload() idempotent so rapid restarts don't leave stale state
• Use this.config to persist settings between restarts
• The SDK automatically retries failed connections — you don't need to restart if the app isn't ready yet
• If connection hangs, verify the app is running and check firewall rules for localhost