> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://better-pm.fdarian.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # pm x > Execute packages without installing ## Overview The `pm x` command executes packages directly from the registry without permanently installing them. It's the Better PM equivalent of `npx`, `pnpx`, or `bunx`, automatically using the right tool for your package manager. ## Syntax ```bash theme={null} pm x [...args] ``` ## Arguments The package or command to execute Arguments to pass to the executed command ## Examples ### Run Package Binary ```bash theme={null} pm x typescript --version ``` ```bash Output theme={null} Running: pnpx typescript --version Version 5.0.0 ``` ### Execute One-off Command ```bash theme={null} pm x create-vite my-app ``` ```bash Output theme={null} Running: pnpx create-vite my-app ``` ### Run CLI Tool ```bash theme={null} pm x prettier --write . ``` ```bash Output theme={null} Running: pnpx prettier --write . ``` ### Execute with Arguments ```bash theme={null} pm x eslint --init ``` ```bash Output theme={null} Running: pnpx eslint --init ``` ### Run Versioned Package ```bash theme={null} pm x typescript@4.9.0 --version ``` ```bash Output theme={null} Running: pnpx typescript@4.9.0 --version ``` ## Package Manager Mapping Better PM automatically uses the appropriate execution tool: | Package Manager | Tool Used | Example | | --------------- | --------- | ------------------ | | pnpm | `pnpx` | `pnpx create-vite` | | bun | `bunx` | `bunx create-vite` | | npm | `npx` | `npx create-vite` | You don't need to remember which tool to use - `pm x` handles it automatically. From `src/commands/x.ts:13-14`: ```typescript theme={null} const execBin = pm.name === 'pnpm' ? 'pnpx' : pm.name === 'bun' ? 'bunx' : 'npx'; ``` ## Use Cases ### Project Scaffolding Create new projects without global installs: ```bash theme={null} pm x create-next-app my-app pm x create-vite my-app --template react pm x degit user/repo my-project ``` ### One-time Tools Run tools you don't need permanently: ```bash theme={null} pm x prettier --check . pm x eslint --fix src/ pm x markdownlint **/*.md ``` ### Version Testing Test different package versions: ```bash theme={null} pm x typescript@5.0.0 --version pm x typescript@4.9.0 --version pm x typescript@latest --version ``` ### CI/CD Scripts Run commands without adding to dependencies: ```bash theme={null} pm x semantic-release pm x commitizen pm x lint-staged ``` ## Common Commands ### Create Projects ```bash Next.js theme={null} pm x create-next-app@latest ``` ```bash Vite theme={null} pm x create-vite ``` ```bash Remix theme={null} pm x create-remix@latest ``` ```bash Astro theme={null} pm x create-astro@latest ``` ### Development Tools ```bash Prettier theme={null} pm x prettier --write . ``` ```bash ESLint theme={null} pm x eslint --init ``` ```bash TypeScript theme={null} pm x tsc --init ``` ```bash Playwright theme={null} pm x playwright install ``` ### Generators ```bash License theme={null} pm x license mit > LICENSE ``` ```bash Gitignore theme={null} pm x gitignore node ``` ```bash Readme theme={null} pm x readme-md-generator ``` ## How It Works From `src/commands/x.ts:10-19`: ```typescript theme={null} export const xCmd = cli.Command.make('x', { args: argsArg }, (args) => Effect.gen(function* () { const pm = yield* PackageManagerService; const execBin = pm.name === 'pnpm' ? 'pnpx' : pm.name === 'bun' ? 'bunx' : 'npx'; const passthrough = Array.from(args.args); const cmd = ShellCommand.make(execBin, ...passthrough); yield* Console.log(`Running: ${execBin} ${passthrough.join(' ')}`); yield* runShellCommand(cmd); }).pipe(Effect.provide(PackageManagerLayer)), ); ``` The command: 1. Detects your package manager 2. Maps to the appropriate execution binary (npx/pnpx/bunx) 3. Passes all arguments through 4. Executes the command ## Benefits ### No Global Installs Keep your global environment clean: ```bash theme={null} # Instead of: npm install -g create-vite create-vite my-app # Use: pm x create-vite my-app ``` ### Always Latest Version Run the latest version without updating: ```bash theme={null} pm x create-next-app@latest # Always gets the newest version ``` ### Try Before Installing Test tools before adding to package.json: ```bash theme={null} pm x vitest # Try it out first # If you like it: pm add -D vitest ``` ### Package Manager Agnostic Same command works everywhere: ```bash theme={null} pm x prettier --write . # Works with pnpm, bun, or npm ``` ## Performance Execution tools cache packages for faster subsequent runs: ```bash theme={null} # First run (downloads package) pm x prettier --version # ~2-3 seconds # Second run (uses cache) pm x prettier --version # ~200ms ``` For frequently used tools, consider installing them locally with `pm add -D` for even better performance. ## Best Practices ### Use for Generators ```bash theme={null} # Perfect for project creation pm x create-vite my-app ``` ### Use for One-off Tasks ```bash theme={null} # Great for occasional commands pm x prettier --check . ``` ### Install for Repeated Use ```bash theme={null} # If used frequently, install it pm add -D prettier pm run format ``` ### Pin Versions for Consistency ```bash theme={null} # In CI/CD, use specific versions pm x prettier@2.8.0 --check . ``` ## Common Workflows ### Quick Project Setup ```bash theme={null} pm x create-vite my-app --template react-ts cd my-app pm install pm run dev ``` ### Format and Lint ```bash theme={null} pm x prettier --write . pm x eslint --fix src/ ``` ### Generate Files ```bash theme={null} pm x license mit > LICENSE pm x gitignore node > .gitignore ``` ### Run Scripts ```bash theme={null} pm x tsx src/script.ts pm x ts-node src/script.ts ``` ## Related Commands * [pm run](/commands/run) - Run package.json scripts * [pm add](/commands/add) - Install packages permanently * [pm install](/commands/install) - Install all dependencies