runner.js

#!/usr/bin/env node
const { join } = require("path");
const { Module } = require("module");
const { execSync } = require("child_process");

const originalRequire = Module.prototype.require;

// heavily inspired by https://github.com/deepal/baapan
Module.prototype.require = function(moduleName) {
  try {
    return originalRequire.call(this, moduleName);
  } catch (err) {
    try {
      execSync(`npm install --no-save --silent ${moduleName}`);

      const modulePath = join("./node_modules", moduleName);

      return originalRequire.call(this, modulePath);
    } catch (e) {
      console.error("Could not install module:", e);
    }
  }
};

const file = process.argv[2];
if (!file) {
  console.log("usage: runner file[.js]");
  process.exit(1);
}

console.log("Executing file:", file);

originalRequire(`./${file.replace(/^\.\//, "")}`);