From 4f1c30c1766263e7dd1276445933db00464771b0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Colton Padden <colton.padden@fastmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2021 15:36:50 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] Support optional [path] argument in create-app command-line
 utility

When this is specified, then copy the newly created application to the specified
directory, otherwise, copy the application to a folder based on the name
specified name.

Signed-off-by: Colton Padden <colton.padden@fastmail.com>
---
 .changeset/neat-rings-protect.md     |  5 +++++
 packages/create-app/src/createApp.ts | 18 ++++++++++++++----
 2 files changed, 19 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 .changeset/neat-rings-protect.md

diff --git a/.changeset/neat-rings-protect.md b/.changeset/neat-rings-protect.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..16b0a5fe82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/neat-rings-protect.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/create-app': minor
+---
+
+Support optional path argument when generating a project using `create-app`
diff --git a/packages/create-app/src/createApp.ts b/packages/create-app/src/createApp.ts
index 1da3139f41..0c1cd09d5b 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/src/createApp.ts
+++ b/packages/create-app/src/createApp.ts
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ async function buildApp(appDir: string) {
 
 async function moveApp(tempDir: string, destination: string, id: string) {
   await Task.forItem('moving', id, async () => {
-    await fs.move(tempDir, destination).catch(error => {
+    await fs.move(tempDir, destination, { overwrite: true }).catch(error => {
       throw new Error(
         `Failed to move app from ${tempDir} to ${destination}: ${error.message}`,
       );
@@ -119,14 +119,24 @@ export default async (cmd: Command): Promise<void> => {
 
   const templateDir = paths.resolveOwn('templates/default-app');
   const tempDir = resolvePath(os.tmpdir(), answers.name);
-  const appDir = resolvePath(paths.targetDir, answers.name);
+
+  // Use `[path]` argument as applicaiton directory when specified, otherwise
+  // create a directory using `answers.name`
+  const appDir =
+    cmd.args.length > 0
+      ? resolvePath(cmd.args[0])
+      : resolvePath(paths.targetDir, answers.name);
 
   Task.log();
   Task.log('Creating the app...');
 
   try {
-    Task.section('Checking if the directory is available');
-    await checkExists(paths.targetDir, answers.name);
+    // Directory must not already exist when using consructed path from
+    // `answers.name`
+    if (cmd.args.length === 0) {
+      Task.section('Checking if the directory is available');
+      await checkExists(paths.targetDir, answers.name);
+    }
 
     Task.section('Creating a temporary app directory');
     await createTemporaryAppFolder(tempDir);