Background task in Nu

Currently Nushell doesn't have built-in background task management feature, but you can make it "support" background task with some tools, here are some example:

1. using a third-party task management tools, like pueue
2. using a terminal multiplexer, like tmux or zellij

Using nu with pueue

Borrows the power of pueue, it is possible to schedule background tasks to pueue, and manage those tasks (such as viewing logs, killing tasks, or getting the running status of all tasks)

Unlike terminal multiplexer, you don't need to attach to multiple tmux sessions, and get task status easily.

Here we provide a nushell module to work with pueue easiler.

Here is a setup example to make nushell "support" background task:

1. install pueue
2. run pueued with default config, you can refer to start-the-daemon page for more information.
3. put the job.nu file under $env.NU_LIB_DIRS.
4. add a line to the $nu.config-path file: use job.nu
5. restart nu.

Then you will get some commands to schedule background tasks. (e.g: job spawn, job status, job log)

Cons note: It spawned a fresh nushell to execute the given command, so it doesn't inherit current scope's variables, custom commands, alias definition, except env variables which can convert value to string. Therefore, if you want to use custom commands or variables, you have to use or def them within the given block.

Using nu with terminal multiplexer

You can choose and install a terminal multiplexer and use it.

It allows you to easily switch between multiple programs in one terminal, detach them (they continue to run in the background) and reconnect them to a different terminal. As a result, it is very flexible and usable.