# Nepali Slip Printer A Node.js package and server for printing receipt slips with support for Nepali Unicode text. This package provides both a REST API server and a library for programmatic use, with proper handling of Devanagari characters and cross-platform printing. ## Features - ✅ **Cross-platform printing** - Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux - ✅ **Nepali Unicode support** - Proper rendering of Devanagari characters - ✅ **Multiple print methods** - Auto-detection, CUPS, Windows PowerShell, file output, and mock mode - ✅ **WiFi printer support** - Print to network-connected printers - ✅ **Configurable formatting** - Adjustable page width and organization details - ✅ **REST API** - Easy integration with any application - ✅ **CLI tool** - Command line interface for quick operations - ✅ **NPM package** - Use as a library in your Node.js projects ## Installation ### As a global CLI tool: ```bash npm install -g @roshanlimbu/nepali-slip-printer ``` ### As a dependency in your project: ```bash npm install @roshanlimbu/nepali-slip-printer ``` ### For development (clone repository): ```bash # Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/roshanlimbu/printServer.git cd printServer # Install dependencies npm install # Copy environment configuration cp .env.example .env # Edit .env file with your settings nano .env ``` ## Configuration Create a `.env` file in the project root: ```env # Server Configuration PORT=3000 # Organization Settings ORG_NAME=Your Store Name # Printer Settings PRINTER_NAME=YourPrinterName PAGE_WIDTH=32 # Print Method: 'auto', 'windows', 'cups', 'file', 'mock' PRINT_METHOD=auto ``` ### Print Methods - **`auto`** - Automatically detects platform (Windows uses PowerShell, macOS/Linux uses CUPS) - **`windows`** - Uses Windows PowerShell printing commands - **`cups`** - Uses CUPS printing system (macOS/Linux) - **`file`** - Saves output to a file for testing - **`mock`** - Prints to console for development ## Usage ### CLI Usage (Global Installation) ```bash # Initialize a project with .env file nepali-slip-server init # Start the server nepali-slip-server start --port 3000 --org "My Store" # Print directly from CLI nepali-slip-server print --data '[[1,"चामल",5],[2,"दाल",10]]' # List available printers nepali-slip-server printers # Help nepali-slip-server --help ``` ### Library Usage (Programmatic) ```javascript const { NepaliSlipPrinter } = require('@roshanlimbu/nepali-slip-printer'); // Create printer instance const printer = new NepaliSlipPrinter({ orgName: 'My Store', pageWidth: 32, printer: 'HP LaserJet' }); // Print data const data = [ [1, "चामल", 5], [2, "दाल", 10], [3, "तेल", 3] ]; async function printReceipt() { try { const result = await printer.print(data, { method: 'auto' // auto, windows, cups, file, mock }); console.log('Printed:', result.jobId); } catch (error) { console.error('Print failed:', error.message); } } printReceipt(); ``` ### Server Usage ```javascript const { createServer } = require('@roshanlimbu/nepali-slip-printer'); // Create and start server const app = createServer({ orgName: 'My Store', pageWidth: 32 }); app.listen(3000, () => { console.log('Server running on port 3000'); }); ``` ### REST API Usage #### Start the Server ```bash # Using CLI nepali-slip-server start # Or using npm (if cloned repository) npm start ``` The server will start on `http://localhost:3000` (or your configured PORT). ### API Endpoints #### 1. Get Available Printers ```bash GET /printers ``` **Response:** ```json { "success": true, "printers": ["HP LaserJet", "Canon Printer"], "count": 2 } ``` #### 2. Print Receipt ```bash POST /print ``` **Request Body:** ```json { "data": [ [1, "चामल", 5], [2, "दाल", 10], [3, "तेल", 3], [4, "चिनी", 15] ] } ``` **Response:** ```json { "success": true, "jobId": "job_1234567890", "message": "Print job sent successfully" } ``` ### Example Usage #### Basic Print Request ```bash curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/print \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "data": [ [1, "चामल", 5], [2, "दाल", 10], [3, "तेल", 3], [4, "चिनी", 15], [5, "नुन", 2], [6, "आटा", 25] ] }' ``` #### Check Available Printers ```bash curl http://localhost:3000/printers ``` ## Sample Output ``` Your Store Name 2025-07-28 09:45:12 -------------------------------- SN शीर्षक सं 1 चामल 5 2 दाल 10 3 तेल 3 4 चिनी 15 5 नुन 2 6 आटा 25 -------------------------------- ``` ## Setup for Different Platforms ### Windows 1. **Add WiFi Printer:** - Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners - Click "Add a printer or scanner" - Select your WiFi printer 2. **Set Environment:** ```env PRINT_METHOD=auto # or 'windows' PRINTER_NAME=YourWiFiPrinterName ``` ### macOS/Linux 1. **Add Printer via CUPS:** ```bash # List available printers lpstat -p # Add printer if needed sudo lpadmin -p PrinterName -E -v ipp://printer-ip:631/ipp/print ``` 2. **Set Environment:** ```env PRINT_METHOD=auto # or 'cups' PRINTER_NAME=YourPrinterName ``` ## Development ### Run in Development Mode ```bash # Use mock printing (console output) PRINT_METHOD=mock npm start ``` ### Save to File (Testing) ```bash # Save print output to files PRINT_METHOD=file npm start ``` ### Project Structure ``` slipServer/ ├── server.js # Main server file ├── printer.js # Custom printer module ├── package.json # Dependencies ├── .env.example # Environment template ├── .env # Your configuration (create this) └── README.md # This file ``` ## Dependencies - **express** - Web server framework - **dotenv** - Environment configuration - **dayjs** - Date formatting ## API Documentation ### Data Format Each item in the `data` array should be an array with 3 elements: - `[0]` - Serial number (integer) - `[1]` - Item title (string, supports Nepali Unicode) - `[2]` - Quantity (integer) ### Error Responses ```json { "success": false, "error": "Error message description" } ``` ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues 1. **"No printers found"** - Check if printer is properly installed - Try `PRINT_METHOD=mock` for testing - Verify printer name in environment 2. **"Print command failed"** - Ensure printer is online and accessible - Check printer permissions - Try printing a test page from system 3. **Nepali text not displaying properly** - Ensure your terminal/console supports Unicode - Check if printer supports Unicode fonts - Try `PRINT_METHOD=file` to save output and check in text editor ### Testing Commands ```bash # Test server is running curl http://localhost:3000/printers # Test with minimal data curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/print \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"data":[[1,"Test",1]]}' ``` ## License This project is open source and available under the [MIT License](LICENSE). ## Contributing 1. Fork the repository 2. Create your feature branch 3. Commit your changes 4. Push to the branch 5. Create a Pull Request ## Support For issues and questions: - Check the troubleshooting section - Review the configuration settings - Test with `PRINT_METHOD=mock` first