Use a different tool or library

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 70 views

No Binary Builds for x86_x64: A Frustrating Experience with Appmap CLI

As a developer, navigating through the world of command-line interfaces (CLI) can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with complex tools like Appmap. In this article, we will delve into the issue of binary builds for x86_x64 and explore the challenges of finding the correct Appmap CLI for generating sequence diagrams from recording JSONs.

When searching for the Appmap CLI, I stumbled upon two repositories: appmap-cli and appmap-js. Initially, I thought appmap-cli was the correct repository, but it only supported the prune command. This was not what I needed, as I required the sequence-diagram feature. After further investigation, I discovered that the actual CLI repository was appmap-js.

Upon visiting the appmap-js repository, I was surprised to find that there were no binary builds available for x86_x64 (Intel) architecture. The only available build was for macOS-arm64. This was a significant issue, as I needed a build that supported my system architecture.

The naming convention of the repositories was also confusing. appmap-cli suggested that it was the actual CLI repository, but it only supported a single command. Meanwhile, appmap-js was the actual CLI repository, but its name did not accurately reflect its purpose. This confusion led to wasted time and effort in searching for the correct repository.

After further research, I discovered that the Appmap CLI is not available as a binary build for x86_x64. However, there are alternative solutions that can be used to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs. One possible solution is to use a different tool or library that supports sequence diagrams.

In conclusion, the lack of binary builds for x86_x64 in the Appmap CLI repository was a frustrating experience. The confusion between the appmap-cli and appmap-js repositories added to the complexity of the issue. However, through further research and investigation, I was able to find alternative solutions that can be used to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs.

If you are facing a similar issue, here are some alternative solutions that you can consider:

Use a different tool or library: There are several tools and libraries available that support sequence diagrams, such as Graphviz or Sequence Diagram.
Compile the Appmap CLI from source: If you are comfortable with compiling code from source, you can try compiling the Appmap CLI from the appmap-js repository.
Use a cloud-based service: There are several cloud-based services available that offer sequence diagram generation, such as Lucidchart or Draw.io.

In conclusion, the lack of binary builds for x86_x64 in the Appmap CLI repository was a frustrating experience. However, through further research and investigation, I was able to find alternative solutions that can be used to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs. If you are facing a similar issue, I hope this article has provided you with some useful information and alternatives to consider.

In the future, it would be beneficial for the Appmap team to provide binary builds for x86_x64 in the CLI repository. This would make it easier for developers to use the Appmap CLI and generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs.

If you are a developer who uses the Appmap CLI, I recommend the following:

Check the Appmap CLI repository regularly: The Appmap team may release new builds or updates to the CLI repository that include binary builds for x86_x64.
Consider using alternative tools or libraries: If you are unable to find a binary build for x86_x64, consider using alternative tools or libraries that support sequence diagrams.
Provide feedback to the Appmap team: If you are experiencing issues with the Appmap CLI, provide feedback to the Appmap team so that they can improve the tool and provide better support for developers.
Appmap CLI Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of binary builds for x86_x64 in the Appmap CLI repository. We also explored alternative solutions that can be used to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the Appmap CLI and provide additional information to help developers who are using or planning to use the Appmap CLI.

A: The Appmap CLI is a command-line interface that allows developers to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs. It is a tool that is used to visualize the flow of data and interactions between different components of an application.

A: The Appmap CLI is not available as a binary build for x86_x64 because the Appmap team has not yet released a build that supports this architecture. However, the team is working on providing support for x86_x64 in future releases.

A: The system requirements for the Appmap CLI are as follows:

Operating System: macOS (arm64) or Linux (x86_64)
Node.js: Version 14 or later
npm: Version 6 or later

A: To install the Appmap CLI, follow these steps:

Clone the repository: Clone the appmap-js repository from GitHub using the following command: git clone https://github.com/getappmap/appmap-js.git
Install dependencies: Install the dependencies required by the Appmap CLI using the following command: npm install
Link the CLI: Link the Appmap CLI to your system using the following command: npm link

A: To use the Appmap CLI to generate a sequence diagram, follow these steps:

Record JSON data: Record JSON data from your application using the Appmap agent.
Run the CLI: Run the Appmap CLI using the following command: appmap sequence-diagram <input.json>
View the diagram: View the generated sequence diagram using a tool such as Graphviz or Sequence Diagram.

A: Some common issues that you may encounter when using the Appmap CLI include:

Missing dependencies: Make sure that you have installed all the required dependencies before running the Appmap CLI.
Incorrect input: Ensure that the input JSON data is correct and in the expected format.
Unsupported architecture: If you are using an unsupported architecture, you may need to compile the Appmap CLI from source or use a different tool.

A: To provide feedback to the Appmap team, you can:

Open an issue: Open an issue on the appmap-js repository on GitHub.
Email the team: Email the Appmap team directly using the contact information provided on the Appmap website.
Join the community: Join the Appmap community on GitHub or other platforms to discuss issues and provide feedback.

In conclusion, the Appmap CLI is a powerful tool that allows developers to generate sequence diagrams from recording JSONs. While it may have some limitations, such as the lack of binary builds for x86_x64, the Appmap team is working to address these issues and provide better support for developers. We hope that this Q&A article has provided you with some useful information and answers to your questions about the Appmap CLI.