How do I know if my `pnpm build` is stuck or just slow in NestJS?

Run your `pnpm build` command using `atlas bash "pnpm build"`. Atlas's `shell_metadata` output will explicitly state if the command was "blocked on interactive input" (stuck) or if a "timeout expired" (genuinely slow), providing clear guidance for your NestJS project.

What are common NestJS commands that might block on input?

In a NestJS context, commands like `pnpm install` might prompt for package resolution, or `jest` test runners could unexpectedly wait for input from a debugger or test utility. Atlas will precisely identify these interactive blocks, allowing you to use flags like `--no-input` or `--ci`.

Can Atlas help debug a slow `jest` test suite in a NestJS project?

Yes, by executing `atlas bash "pnpm test"` (or `jest` directly), Atlas can determine if your NestJS test suite is genuinely taking a long time to complete or if it's silently waiting for an unexpected prompt, providing the necessary diagnostic clarity.

How do I increase the timeout for a long-running NestJS build with Atlas?

If your NestJS `pnpm build` is genuinely slow, use the `--timeout` flag with `atlas bash`. For example, `atlas bash --timeout 900000 "pnpm build"` sets a 15-minute timeout, accommodating larger NestJS projects with extensive module compilation.

Does Atlas modify my NestJS project files when diagnosing commands?

No, when diagnosing command execution, Atlas primarily observes and reports. Any potential file modifications, such as if it were to suggest a change to `nest-cli.json` or `app.module.ts`, would be permission-gated and require your explicit approval via a unified diff before being written.

What if I manually stop a NestJS command run by Atlas?

If you choose to abort a NestJS command yourself while it's running under Atlas, the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output will clearly state "User aborted the command," distinguishing your interrupt from a timeout or a blocked state.

How does Atlas ensure my NestJS code stays private when diagnosing?

Atlas prioritizes privacy by building its code index with local Ollama embeddings. This means your NestJS codebase, including sensitive files like DTOs or provider implementations, never leaves your machine and is not sent to third-party servers during diagnosis.

Can Atlas integrate with NestJS's decorator-driven dependency injection?

While diagnosing command execution, Atlas observes the output. For deeper integration, Atlas can read your `@Module` imports and exports, provider scopes, and DTOs, and can even build `Test.createTestingModule` harnesses for `jest` behind a permission prompt, demonstrating its understanding of NestJS idioms.

Diagnose a Hanging or Long-Running Command in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Atlas helps NestJS developers in 2026 quickly diagnose whether a `pnpm` build, `jest` test run, or any other script is genuinely slow or silently blocked on interactive input, preventing wasted time waiting for unresponsive processes. By running your NestJS commands through Atlas's `bash` tool, you receive immediate feedback if a timeout occurs, explicitly identifying if the command is waiting for input or simply taking a long time to complete. This precise diagnosis, leveraging Atlas's understanding of your `nest-cli.json` and `app.module.ts` context, allows you to efficiently unblock your development workflow and get your NestJS applications building and testing without unnecessary delays.

How Atlas Diagnoses Hanging NestJS `pnpm` and `jest` Commands

In 2026, Atlas provides a robust mechanism to diagnose unresponsive NestJS commands by racing every execution against a configurable timeout, offering precise feedback within seconds. This approach helps identify whether a `pnpm` script or `jest` test run is genuinely slow or silently blocked on interactive input.

When you execute a NestJS command like `pnpm build` or `pnpm test` using `atlas bash "pnpm build"`, Atlas wraps the execution and monitors its progress. If the command exceeds a predefined timeout, Atlas doesn't just kill the process; it analyzes the state and provides a detailed `shell_metadata` block in its output. This metadata explicitly distinguishes between a command that timed out because it was genuinely slow and one that was silently blocked, typically waiting for interactive input. For instance, if your NestJS project, defined by its `nest-cli.json` and `app.module.ts` files, has a `pnpm install` step that unexpectedly prompts for confirmation, Atlas will identify this as a blocked-on-input scenario, rather than a slow download. This immediate, explicit diagnosis saves significant debugging time for NestJS developers.

Identifying and Unblocking Interactive Input in NestJS `pnpm` or `jest` Commands

A common cause of perceived slowness in NestJS development is a command silently blocked on interactive input, which Atlas can pinpoint with 100% accuracy. This often occurs with `pnpm` or `jest` when they encounter unexpected prompts, halting execution indefinitely until input is provided.

Atlas's `shell_metadata` block is crucial for NestJS developers facing unresponsive commands. If you run `atlas bash "pnpm install"` and Atlas reports that the command was "blocked on interactive input," it means `pnpm` was waiting for user confirmation or a password, which never arrived in a non-interactive environment. Similarly, a `jest` test run initiated via `atlas bash "pnpm test"` might hang if a test utility unexpectedly tries to prompt. To resolve this, you re-run the command with non-interactive flags. For `pnpm`, this might be `atlas bash "pnpm install --no-input"`. For `jest`, especially in CI/CD contexts or when running headless, `atlas bash "jest --ci"` is often effective, ensuring the test runner doesn't wait for input. This targeted approach, guided by Atlas's diagnosis, quickly unblocks your NestJS development flow.

Adjusting Atlas Timeouts for Genuinely Slow NestJS Builds and Scripts

When a NestJS `pnpm build` command genuinely takes a long time, perhaps 5 minutes or more due to complex module graphs or extensive DTO validation, Atlas allows you to easily adjust the execution timeout. This prevents premature termination while still providing diagnostic feedback.

Sometimes, a NestJS project's build process, especially for larger applications with many `@Module` imports and exports, or extensive `ValidationPipe` DTOs, genuinely requires a significant amount of time. If `atlas bash "pnpm build"` reports a "timeout expired" message without mentioning interactive input, it indicates the command was simply taking longer than the default timeout. In such cases, Atlas instructs you to retry with a larger timeout value. For example, if your NestJS build typically takes 7 minutes, you might run `atlas bash --timeout 420000 "pnpm build"` (420,000 milliseconds for 7 minutes). This flexibility ensures that Atlas supports both quick diagnostic checks and the execution of long-running, legitimate processes within your NestJS toolchain, such as `pnpm` scripts or `prettier` formatting across a large codebase.

Ensuring Safety and Reviewing Atlas's Diagnoses in NestJS Codebases

Atlas prioritizes safety and transparency in 2026, ensuring that any diagnostic actions or potential modifications within your NestJS project are permission-gated and fully reviewable. This includes a two-step approval process for any tool calls or file changes.

When Atlas diagnoses a hanging NestJS command, its primary action is to observe and report, not to modify. However, if Atlas were to suggest a fix that involves modifying files, such as adjusting a `nest-cli.json` configuration or adding a flag to a `package.json` script, its built-in safety mechanisms would activate. Every Atlas tool call is permission-gated, requiring your explicit "allow," "ask," or "deny" approval before execution. Furthermore, Atlas drafts a plan in a read-only plan agent and asks for approval before switching to a build agent. Any proposed file edits, for instance, to an `app.module.ts` or a `prettier` configuration, are presented as a unified diff for your review and approval before Atlas writes them to disk. This rigorous review process ensures that your NestJS codebase remains under your control, even when leveraging Atlas for advanced diagnostics and automated fixes.

Step by step

01Initiate NestJS Command with Atlas `bash`:: Run your potentially hanging NestJS command, such as `pnpm build` or `pnpm test`, through Atlas's `bash` tool: `atlas bash "pnpm build"`.
02Examine Atlas `shell_metadata` Output:: After the command completes or times out, review the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output to determine if it was "blocked on interactive input" or if a "timeout expired."
03Unblock Interactive NestJS Commands:: If the metadata indicates "blocked on interactive input," re-run the command with appropriate non-interactive flags. For example, use `atlas bash "pnpm install --no-input"` or `atlas bash "jest --ci"` for `jest` test runs.
04Adjust Timeout for Slow NestJS Commands:: If the metadata shows "timeout expired" and no interactive input, retry the command with a larger timeout value in milliseconds. For instance, `atlas bash --timeout 600000 "pnpm build"` for a 10-minute build.
05Confirm User Abort (Optional):: If you manually interrupted the command, verify that the `shell_metadata` block explicitly states "User aborted the command" to distinguish it from an Atlas-initiated timeout.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my `pnpm build` is stuck or just slow in NestJS?: Run your `pnpm build` command using `atlas bash "pnpm build"`. Atlas's `shell_metadata` output will explicitly state if the command was "blocked on interactive input" (stuck) or if a "timeout expired" (genuinely slow), providing clear guidance for your NestJS project.
What are common NestJS commands that might block on input?: In a NestJS context, commands like `pnpm install` might prompt for package resolution, or `jest` test runners could unexpectedly wait for input from a debugger or test utility. Atlas will precisely identify these interactive blocks, allowing you to use flags like `--no-input` or `--ci`.
Can Atlas help debug a slow `jest` test suite in a NestJS project?: Yes, by executing `atlas bash "pnpm test"` (or `jest` directly), Atlas can determine if your NestJS test suite is genuinely taking a long time to complete or if it's silently waiting for an unexpected prompt, providing the necessary diagnostic clarity.
How do I increase the timeout for a long-running NestJS build with Atlas?: If your NestJS `pnpm build` is genuinely slow, use the `--timeout` flag with `atlas bash`. For example, `atlas bash --timeout 900000 "pnpm build"` sets a 15-minute timeout, accommodating larger NestJS projects with extensive module compilation.
Does Atlas modify my NestJS project files when diagnosing commands?: No, when diagnosing command execution, Atlas primarily observes and reports. Any potential file modifications, such as if it were to suggest a change to `nest-cli.json` or `app.module.ts`, would be permission-gated and require your explicit approval via a unified diff before being written.
What if I manually stop a NestJS command run by Atlas?: If you choose to abort a NestJS command yourself while it's running under Atlas, the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output will clearly state "User aborted the command," distinguishing your interrupt from a timeout or a blocked state.
How does Atlas ensure my NestJS code stays private when diagnosing?: Atlas prioritizes privacy by building its code index with local Ollama embeddings. This means your NestJS codebase, including sensitive files like DTOs or provider implementations, never leaves your machine and is not sent to third-party servers during diagnosis.
Can Atlas integrate with NestJS's decorator-driven dependency injection?: While diagnosing command execution, Atlas observes the output. For deeper integration, Atlas can read your `@Module` imports and exports, provider scopes, and DTOs, and can even build `Test.createTestingModule` harnesses for `jest` behind a permission prompt, demonstrating its understanding of NestJS idioms.

Try Atlas in your terminal

The terminal-native AI coding agent. Free core, single binary.

Install Atlas

Related guides

Diagnose a Hanging or Long-Running Command with Atlas in 2026

How to diagnose a hanging command with Atlas in 2026: the bash tool races every command against a timeout and tells you whether it is slow or blocked on input.

Document a NestJS Module with a README using Atlas in 2026

Generate accurate READMEs for your NestJS modules in 2026 with Atlas. Leverage real code, `jest` tests, and `pnpm` dependencies to document what your application actually does today, not just what it was designed to do.

Run Atlas Headless in CI with NestJS in 2026

Automate Atlas sessions in your NestJS CI pipeline for machine-readable output. Learn to configure `atlas run` with `pnpm` and `jest` to integrate AI-driven code changes safely in 2026.

Research a Third-Party API Before Integrating it in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Streamline third-party API research for NestJS projects in 2026 with Atlas. Discover how Atlas uses websearch and webfetch to get current API shapes, ensuring your NestJS integration is accurate and secure, then

Self-review your working diff before committing in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Catch your own mistakes in uncommitted NestJS diffs before code review or CI. Atlas helps NestJS developers self-review changes, run `jest` tests, and format with `prettier`.

Onboard to an unfamiliar codebase in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Quickly build a mental model of any NestJS codebase using Atlas. Leverage semantic search, AST indexing, and permission-gated tools to understand modules, providers, and DTOs without reading every file.

Plan a Multi-File Change Before Editing in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Design and review complex, multi-file changes in your NestJS project using Atlas's plan agent. Get feedback on your strategy before modifying a single line of code, integrating with `jest`, `pnpm`, and `prettier`.

Extract a Shared Helper from Duplicated Code in NestJS with Atlas in 2026

Streamline NestJS refactoring in 2026 by extracting shared helpers from duplicated logic using Atlas. Identify semantic duplicates, create new modules, and apply changes with full reviewability, ensuring your NestJS

Browse this resource hub