How do I debug a hanging `pnpm build` in Next.js with Atlas?

Run `atlas bash "pnpm build"`. Atlas will execute the command and, if it hangs, provide `shell_metadata` indicating if it's blocked on input or genuinely slow, guiding your next steps to resolve the issue.

What if my `pnpm vitest` tests with React Testing Library are taking too long?

Use `atlas bash "pnpm vitest"`. If it times out without being blocked, Atlas will suggest increasing the timeout, for example, `atlas bash --timeout 30000 "pnpm vitest"` to allow more time for the test suite to complete.

How does Atlas distinguish between a slow `next build` and one waiting for input?

Atlas's `shell_metadata` block explicitly states "waiting for interactive input" if the command is blocked. Otherwise, it's considered genuinely slow, and you're prompted to increase the timeout value for the `next build` process.

Can Atlas help if `prettier` hangs when formatting Next.js files?

Yes. If `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write ."` hangs, the metadata will likely indicate interactive input. Re-run with `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write . --no-input"` to resolve it and format your Next.js codebase.

What if I accidentally abort a Next.js command run through Atlas?

If you manually interrupt a command, the `shell_metadata` block will clearly state "User aborted the command", distinguishing your action from an Atlas-imposed timeout, providing clarity on the command's termination.

Does Atlas integrate with Next.js's App Router or server components?

Yes, Atlas is designed to pair with Next.js across the App Router, server components, and API routes. It indexes code by AST declarations using tree-sitter, understanding your project structure and boundaries.

Diagnose a hanging or long-running command in Next.js with Atlas in 2026

In 2026, Atlas helps Next.js developers diagnose whether a `pnpm build` command, `pnpm vitest` test run with React Testing Library, or any other script is genuinely slow or silently blocked on interactive input. By running commands through Atlas's `bash` tool, you receive explicit feedback in the `shell_metadata` block, allowing you to quickly identify and resolve issues like a forgotten `--no-input` flag for `prettier` or a long-running `next build` process.

How Atlas Diagnoses Hanging Next.js Commands

Atlas provides a robust mechanism to diagnose hanging or long-running commands in Next.js projects by racing every execution against a timeout. In 2026, this means you get immediate feedback if your `pnpm build` or `pnpm vitest` command exceeds its expected duration, distinguishing between a genuinely slow process and one silently blocked on interactive input.

When a Next.js command, such as `pnpm build` for your production bundle or `pnpm install` to manage dependencies, appears to hang, Atlas's `bash` tool executes it with a predefined timeout. If the command does not complete within this period, Atlas does not simply kill it; instead, it analyzes the process and provides a detailed `shell_metadata` block in its output. This metadata explicitly states whether the command was killed due to exceeding the timeout or, crucially, if it was waiting for interactive input. This precise diagnosis is invaluable for Next.js developers, allowing them to quickly understand the root cause without manual debugging or guesswork. For instance, a `next dev` server might appear to hang if a pre-start script is blocked, and Atlas will identify this immediately.

Identifying Blocked Input in Next.js Tooling

When a Next.js command like `pnpm prettier --write .` appears to hang, Atlas's `bash` tool can pinpoint the exact cause within seconds. In 2026, the `shell_metadata` block explicitly states if the command is waiting for interactive input, a common scenario for tools that might prompt for confirmation without a `--yes` or `--no-input` flag.

A common reason for a Next.js script to hang is that it is silently blocked, waiting for user input that is never provided, especially in automated or terminal-native environments. For example, `pnpm install` might prompt about peer dependency conflicts, or `prettier` might ask for confirmation before writing changes if not run with `--no-input`. Atlas's `shell_metadata` block will clearly state 'waiting for interactive input' in such cases. To resolve this, you simply re-run the command through Atlas's `bash` tool, adding the appropriate non-interactive flags. For `prettier`, this would be `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write . --no-input"`. For other tools, flags like `--yes`, `--force`, or setting a `CI=true` environment variable might be necessary to prevent prompts, ensuring your Next.js workflow proceeds smoothly.

Handling Genuinely Slow Next.js Operations

For Next.js operations that are genuinely slow, such as a complex `next build` process or an extensive `pnpm vitest` test suite with React Testing Library, Atlas provides clear guidance. If a command times out but isn't blocked on input, the `shell_metadata` block will instruct you to retry with a larger timeout value, often starting with 5000 milliseconds.

Some Next.js operations are inherently time-consuming. A large `next build` for a complex application with many routes and server components can take several minutes. Similarly, running a comprehensive `pnpm vitest` test suite with React Testing Library across hundreds of components will require significant processing time. When Atlas's `bash` tool executes such a command and it times out without indicating interactive input, the `shell_metadata` block will explicitly suggest increasing the timeout. For instance, if `atlas bash "pnpm build"` times out, you might retry with `atlas bash --timeout 60000 "pnpm build"` to allow 60 seconds. This clear instruction helps you differentiate between a problem and a naturally long-running process, enabling you to adjust Atlas's parameters to match your Next.js project's specific performance characteristics.

Atlas's Safety and Review for Next.js Debugging

Debugging Next.js issues with Atlas is inherently safe, thanks to its multi-layered review and approval system. In 2026, every Atlas tool call is permission-gated, and any proposed file edits, such as modifying a `next.config.js` or `app/page.tsx` file, are presented as a unified diff for your explicit approval before writing.

Atlas prioritizes developer control and safety, especially when interacting with critical Next.js project files. Before any Atlas tool, including `bash` or `read`, executes, it adheres to permission-gated rules, which can be set to allow, ask, or deny. When Atlas drafts a plan to resolve an issue, it does so in a read-only plan agent, presenting the proposed steps for your review. If the plan involves modifying files like `next.config.js`, `app/layout.tsx`, or `app/api/route.ts`, Atlas computes a unified diff for every proposed edit. This diff is surfaced for your explicit approval, ensuring you understand and consent to every change before it is written to your Next.js codebase. Furthermore, Atlas snapshots file changes as git patches, allowing for easy diffing and rolling back of edits, providing a robust safety net for your development workflow.

Step by step

01Run `atlas bash "pnpm build"` in your Next.js project to execute the build command with Atlas's default timeout.
02Examine the `shell_metadata` block in Atlas's output for explicit messages regarding the command's status.
03If the metadata indicates "waiting for interactive input", re-run the command with non-interactive flags, for example: `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write . --no-input"`.
04If the metadata suggests the command is genuinely slow, retry with an increased timeout, like `atlas bash --timeout 15000 "pnpm vitest"`, adjusting the milliseconds as needed.
05If you manually aborted the command, confirm the `shell_metadata` block states "User aborted the command" to distinguish your interrupt from an Atlas timeout.

Frequently asked questions

How do I debug a hanging `pnpm build` in Next.js with Atlas?: Run `atlas bash "pnpm build"`. Atlas will execute the command and, if it hangs, provide `shell_metadata` indicating if it's blocked on input or genuinely slow, guiding your next steps to resolve the issue.
What if my `pnpm vitest` tests with React Testing Library are taking too long?: Use `atlas bash "pnpm vitest"`. If it times out without being blocked, Atlas will suggest increasing the timeout, for example, `atlas bash --timeout 30000 "pnpm vitest"` to allow more time for the test suite to complete.
How does Atlas distinguish between a slow `next build` and one waiting for input?: Atlas's `shell_metadata` block explicitly states "waiting for interactive input" if the command is blocked. Otherwise, it's considered genuinely slow, and you're prompted to increase the timeout value for the `next build` process.
Can Atlas help if `prettier` hangs when formatting Next.js files?: Yes. If `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write ."` hangs, the metadata will likely indicate interactive input. Re-run with `atlas bash "pnpm prettier --write . --no-input"` to resolve it and format your Next.js codebase.
Is it safe to let Atlas modify my Next.js configuration files like `next.config.js`?: Absolutely. Atlas operates with a read-only plan agent and presents all proposed changes as a unified diff for your explicit approval before writing to any Next.js file, ensuring full control over your `next.config.js` or `app` directory files.
What if I accidentally abort a Next.js command run through Atlas?: If you manually interrupt a command, the `shell_metadata` block will clearly state "User aborted the command", distinguishing your action from an Atlas-imposed timeout, providing clarity on the command's termination.
Does Atlas integrate with Next.js's App Router or server components?: Yes, Atlas is designed to pair with Next.js across the App Router, server components, and API routes. It indexes code by AST declarations using tree-sitter, understanding your project structure and boundaries.

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