How to use node-inspector with `npm start` for my application?

Question

I am using npm start to start my MEAN stack application, but I would like to use the node-inspector to debug some Mongoose. I know I can start the node inspector with node-inspector, but what can I substitute node --debug app.js with to make npm start work in my case?

This is my MEAN stack directory structure:

HTML        views/
Angular.js  public/javascript/
Express.js  routes/
Node.js     app.js
Mongoose js models/, connected in app.js
Mongo db    connected in app.js

For more information, this is my related question.

Answer 1

You may want to add a seperate debug script to package.json. That way you won't have to remember to revert npm start when you're finished debugging.

"scripts": {
    "start": "node ./bin/www",
    "debug": "node --debug ./bin/www"
}

Start with npm run:

$ npm run debug

Answer 2

In package.json modify the start run command:

"scripts": {
    "start": "node --debug app.js"
}