---

description: vlt exec / exec-local / exec-cache commands and @vltpkg/vlx globs: src/cli-sdk/src/commands/exec.ts,src/cli-sdk/src/commands/exec-local.ts,src/cli-sdk/src/commands/exec-cache.ts,src/vlx/src/.ts,www/docs/content/client/commands/exec.mdx alwaysApply: false

Exec Commands & vlx

vlt exec (alias: x)

Runs a command from a package, installing into XDG data dir if needed. Never modifies local node_modules.

Resolution order:

1. If --package=<pkg> set → use that package
2. If arg0 found in local node_modules/.bin → run it (no install)
3. Otherwise treat arg0 as package spec → install to exec cache → run default bin

Local dir spec (arg0 or --package: ., ./x, file:x; relative to cwd) → bins shimmed into XDG cache vlt/vlx-local/<key> (keyed by dir, bins, shebangs; never rewritten), run in place, nothing installed. Path-like arg0 skips the .bin lookup.

Default bin inference: single bin entry, or bin matching package name (after / for scoped).

vlt exec eslint src/            # local or install + run
vlt exec --package=typescript@5 tsc   # explicit package
vlt exec                        # no args → interactive shell with local bins in PATH

vlt exec-local (alias: xl)

Runs command with local node_modules/.bin prepended to PATH. No remote installs. No args → spawns interactive shell.

vlt exec-cache (alias: xc)

Manage the exec cache (XDG data dir installations).

| Subcommand | Description | |------------|-------------| | ls | List cached packages (filter by name or key) | | info <key> | Extended info about a cached install | | install <spec>... | Pre-install packages into exec cache | | delete [key...] | Remove cached packages (all if no args) |

@vltpkg/vlx Module (src/vlx/src/)

Entry point re-exports:

• vlx.resolve(positionals, options, promptFn?) → string | undefined — core resolution logic: find local bin → find local package → install to cache → infer default executable. Returns undefined for interactive shell.
• vlx.install(spec, options, promptFn?) → VlxInfo — install to XDG exec cache
• vlx.list() → cached package list
• vlx.info(key) → VlxInfo for a cached install
• vlx.delete(keys) — remove from cache

Key Types

type VlxInfo = {
  name: string, version?: string,
  path: string,      // synthetic project dir (cache), projectRoot (local), or shim dir (local dir spec)
  resolved: string,  // registry resolution or file URL for local
  arg0?: string,     // inferred default bin path
  integrity?: Integrity, signatures?: Resolution['signatures']
}

Internal Helpers

• findExecutable(arg0, projectRoot) — searches node_modules/.bin
• findPackage(name, projectRoot, packageJson) — checks local install satisfies
• localDir(spec) — abs path if spec is a local dir
• vlxLocal(dir, packageJson) — shims a local dir's bins, no install
• inferDefaultExecutable(manifest) — picks bin from manifest
• inferName(spec) — package name from spec
• doPrompt(promptFn, spec, path, resolution) — confirmation before install