tmpin
Adds stdin support to any CLI app that accepts file input.
- Status
- UnmaintainedNo commits in 1834 days.
- Last checked
- Aging · Sep 4, 2026
- License
- Open source
- Pricing
- Free tier · from $0
What it is
tmpin is a utility that enables command-line applications to accept standard input as if it were a file, streamlining the process of handling data in pipelines and scripts. This tool simplifies workflows for developers who frequently use CLI tools with file inputs.
tmpin stands out as a lightweight utility that bridges the gap between file-based input and dynamic data streams in command-line environments, offering simplicity and flexibility without additional overhead.
When it fits — and when it doesn’t
A good fit for
Developers who need to integrate CLI tools into pipelines that generate dynamic input data.
Script authors looking for a way to simplify the handling of streamed or dynamically generated data with file-based CLI utilities.
Look elsewhere if
Projects requiring complex, real-time data processing beyond simple stdin redirection.
Users needing advanced features like multi-threading or parallel processing within their CLI applications.
Known weaknesses
Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.
- 01
Limited language support
tmpin is primarily designed for JavaScript/Node.js environments and may not work seamlessly with other languages without additional configuration or wrappers.
- 02
Complex setup in non-standard environments
Setting up tmpin in environments that are not the typical Node.js ecosystem (such as Docker containers, Windows Subsystem for Linux) can be cumbersome and require manual adjustments.
- 03
Performance overhead when handling large data streams
tmpin may introduce additional latency or memory usage when processing very large datasets due to its method of converting stdin into a file-like object.
What it does well
Enables stdin support for CLI apps that accept file input.
Simplifies data handling in pipelines and scripts.
Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing workflows.
Pricing
- Free tier
- YesOpen source — free to use
- Paid from
- $0
- Model
- Flat rate
- Enterprise plan
- No
Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.
Performance benchmarks
How Fast Is It?
Set up tmpin
Setup steps, common gotchas and what to check after 30 days.