Merge pull request #320 from nocodb/scripts-update

Author: DarkPhoenix2704

content/scripts/api-reference/external-packages.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+---
+title: 'External Packages'
+description: 'Documentation for the external packages in NocoDB Scripts'
+icon: 'code'
+---
+
+NocoDB Scripts supports importing external JavaScript packages using **dynamic imports**, allowing you to leverage NPM libraries in your scripts.
+
+<Callout type="info">
+External packages are only available in browser environment and does not work in Webhook Scripts.
+</Callout>
+
+<Callout type="warning">
+**Important:** Only dynamic imports using `import()` are supported. Static imports (e.g., `import _ from 'lodash'`) are not supported.
+</Callout>
+
+### Which type of imports are supported?
+
+Only dynamic imports using `import()` are supported. Static imports (`import ... from '...'`) will not work.
+
+### Can I import any NPM package?
+
+Not all packages will work.
+
+✅ **Works:** Pure JavaScript/ESM libraries (e.g., lodash, dayjs, uuid, zod, axios).
+
+❌ **Doesn't work:** Packages that require DOM (react-dom, jquery, chart.js) or Node.js APIs (fs, net, crypto Node module, express, sharp).
+
+**Tip:** If it runs inside a Web Worker, it will usually work in NocoDB Scripts.
+
+### Why do some packages fail in NocoDB Scripts?
+
+Scripts run in a Web Worker sandbox. This environment:
+- Has no DOM (`document`, `window`, `HTMLElement`).
+- Has no Node APIs (`fs`, `process`, `child_process`, native addons).
+- Disallows synchronous browser storage (`localStorage`, `document.cookie`).
+
+### How do I import multiple packages?
+
+Use separate dynamic imports:
+```javascript
+const _ = (await import('lodash')).default;
+const dayjs = (await import('dayjs')).default;
+```
+
+### Do I need .default after import?
+
+Many CDN-transpiled packages expose the default export at `.default`. If you see `undefined`, try:
+```javascript
+const dayjs = (await import('dayjs')).default;
+```
+
+### How do I pin a specific package version?
+
+Include a version or semver tag in the CDN URL to avoid breaking changes.
+```javascript
+const _ = (await import('https://esm.sh/lodash@4.17.21')).default;
+```
+
+### Common gotchas & troubleshooting
+
+- **Named vs default exports:** Check the package's docs; you might need named imports:
+  ```javascript
+  const { nanoid } = await import('nanoid');
+  const { z } = await import('zod');
+  ```
+- **Tree-shaking:** Import subpaths when available for smaller bundles (e.g., lodash-es functions).
+
+### Examples that work well
+
+- lodash / lodash-es
+- dayjs
+- zod
+- uuid
+- axios (uses fetch in browsers)
+
+### Examples that won't work
+
+- react-dom, jquery, chart.js, leaflet (DOM-bound)
+- express, fs-extra, sharp, sqlite3 (Node-only)
+- js-cookie (needs document.cookie)
+
+### Security considerations
+
+- Prefer pinned versions.
+- Review package reputation; avoid importing untrusted code at runtime.
+- Validate and sanitize any data flowing into third‑party libs.
+
+### Example: Full flow
+
+```javascript
+// Load external libs
+const _ = (await import('https://esm.sh/lodash@4.17.21')).default;
+const dayjs = (await import('https://esm.sh/dayjs@1')).default;
+
+// Query data
+const customers = base.getTable('Customers');
+const recordQueryResult = await customers.selectRecordsAsync();
+
+// Group and format
+const groupedByStatus = _.groupBy(recordQueryResult.records, r => r.getCellValue('Status'));
+for (const [status, customers] of Object.entries(groupedByStatus)) {
+  output.text(`${status}: ${recordQueryResult.records.length} customers`);
+}
+output.text(`Report generated on: ${dayjs().format('MMMM D, YYYY')}`);
+```

content/scripts/api-reference/index.mdx

@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@ description: 'Explore the NocoDB Scripts API for advanced automation and integra
 
 ### External Integration
 - [Remote Fetch](/docs/scripts/api-reference/fetch) - HTTP requests, external APIs, and NocoDB REST API proxy
-- [Script Settings](/docs/scripts/api-reference/script-settings) - Configuration and environment variables
+- [Script Settings](/docs/scripts/api-reference/script-settings) - Configuration and environment variables
+- [External Packages](/docs/scripts/api-reference/external-packages) - Import and use popular NPM packages from CDN

content/scripts/api-reference/input.mdx

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ Prompts the user to enter text.
 
 **Parameters:**
 - `label` (`string`): The prompt text to display to the user
+- `options` (`object`, optional): Additional options for the text input
+  - `defaultValue` (`string`, optional): Default value for the text input
 
 **Returns:** `Promise<string>` - A promise that resolves to the text entered by the user
 
@@ -34,9 +36,13 @@ Prompts the user to enter text.
 const name = await input.textAsync('What is your name?');
 output.text(`Hello, ${name}!`);
 
-// Ask for an email subject
-const subject = await input.textAsync('Enter email subject:');
+// Ask for an email subject with a default value
+const subject = await input.textAsync('Enter email subject:', {defaultValue: 'Monthly Newsletter'});
 output.text(`Email subject: ${subject}`);
+
+// Ask for user's name with a default
+const userName = await input.textAsync('What is your name?', {defaultValue: 'Anonymous'});
+output.text(`Hello, ${userName}!`);
 ```
 
 **Output:**
@@ -99,6 +105,7 @@ Presents a dropdown menu of options for the user to choose from.
 **Parameters:**
 - `label` (`string`): The prompt text to display to the user
 - `options` (`Array<string | { label: string, value: any }>`): An array of options, either as strings or objects with label and value properties
+- `defaultValue` (any, optional): Default selected value
 
 **Returns:** `Promise<any>` - A promise that resolves to the value of the selected option
 
@@ -110,6 +117,14 @@ const department = await input.selectAsync(
   ['Marketing', 'Sales', 'Engineering', 'Customer Support', 'Finance', 'HR']
 );
 output.text(`Selected department: ${department}`);
+
+// Ask user to select a department with a default value
+const dept = await input.selectAsync(
+  'Select a department:',
+  ['Marketing', 'Sales', 'Engineering', 'Customer Support', 'Finance', 'HR'],
+  'Engineering' // default value
+);
+output.text(`Selected department: ${dept}`);
 ```
 
 **Output:**
@@ -127,6 +142,18 @@ const priority = await input.selectAsync(
   ]
 );
 output.text(`Selected priority level: ${priority}`);
+
+// Ask user to select a priority level with a default value
+const priorityLevel = await input.selectAsync(
+  'Select priority level:',
+  [
+    { label: 'High (Urgent)', value: 3 },
+    { label: 'Medium (Normal)', value: 2 },
+    { label: 'Low (When time permits)', value: 1 }
+  ],
+  2 // default value (Medium)
+);
+output.text(`Selected priority level: ${priorityLevel}`);
 ```
 
 **Output:**

content/scripts/api-reference/meta.json

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
       "script-steps",
       "input",
       "output",
-      "fetch"
+      "fetch",
+      "external-packages"
     ]
   }

content/scripts/changelog.mdx

@@ -6,6 +6,26 @@ icon: 'clock'
 
 This page documents all changes to the NocoDB Scripts API, including new features, improvements, bug fixes, and breaking changes.
 
+## October 03, 2025
+
+#### Input Methods Enhancement
+- **Default Values for `input.textAsync()`** - Added optional `defaultValue` parameter in options object
+  - Example: `await input.textAsync('Enter name:', {defaultValue: 'Anonymous'})`
+  - Pre-fills the input field with a default value that users can accept or modify
+- **Default Values for `input.selectAsync()`** - Added optional `defaultValue` parameter
+  - Example: `await input.selectAsync('Select option:', options, defaultValue)`
+  - Pre-selects an option in the dropdown menu
+
+#### External Package Imports
+- **Dynamic Import Support** - Scripts can now import external JavaScript packages from CDN using dynamic imports
+  - Use `await import('package-name')` syntax to load external libraries
+  - Example: `const _ = await import('lodash')` or `const dayjs = await import('dayjs')`
+  - Supports popular CDNs: esm.sh (default), unpkg, skypack, jsdelivr
+  - Enables use of libraries like lodash, dayjs, axios, etc.
+  - **Note:** Only dynamic imports are supported; static imports are not available
+
+---
+
 ## July 28, 2025
 
 

content/scripts/index.mdx

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ NocoDB Scripts is a powerful automation engine that allows you to write JavaScri
 - **Database Access**: Query tables and views, create, update, and delete records
 - **User Interaction**: Collect input from users with interactive prompts
 - **External Integration**: Connect to third-party services via HTTP requests
+- **External Package Imports**: Import and use NPM packages from CDN (lodash, dayjs, etc.)
 - **Visual Output**: Display results in formatted tables, markdown, and more
 - **TypeScript Support**: Enjoy code completion and type checking in the script editor
 
@@ -102,5 +103,5 @@ if (count > 0) {
 - **Input**: Collect user input with interactive prompts and file uploads
 - **Output**: Display formatted results with text, markdown, tables, and progress indicators
 - **API Integration**: Connect to external services and NocoDB's REST APIs
-
+- **External Packages**: Import and use NPM packages