npm
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Synopsis
npm<command>[args]
Version
6.14.18
Description
npm is the package manager for the Node JavaScript platform. It puts modules in place so that node can find them, and manages dependency conflicts intelligently.
It is extremely configurable to support a wide variety of use cases. Most commonly, it is used to publish, discover, install, and develop node programs.
Runnpm help to get a list of available commands.
Important
npm is configured to use npm, Inc.'s public registry athttps://registry.npmjs.org by default. Use of the npm public registry is subject to terms of use available athttps://www.npmjs.com/policies/terms.
You can configure npm to use any compatible registry you like, and even run your own registry. Use of someone else's registry may be governed by their terms of use.
Introduction
You probably got npm because you want to install stuff.
Usenpm install blerg to install the latest version of "blerg". Check outnpm install for more info. It can do a lot of stuff.
Use thenpm search command to show everything that's available. Usenpm ls to show everything you've installed.
Dependencies
If a package references to another package with a git URL, npm depends on a preinstalled git.
If one of the packages npm tries to install is a native node module and requires compiling of C++ Code, npm will usenode-gyp for that task. For a Unix system,node-gyp needs Python, make and a buildchain like GCC. On Windows, Python and Microsoft Visual Studio C++ are needed. For more information visitthe node-gyp repository and thenode-gyp Wiki.
Directories
Seefolders to learn about where npm puts stuff.
In particular, npm has two modes of operation:
- global mode: npm installs packages into the install prefix at
prefix/lib/node_modulesand bins are installed inprefix/bin. - local mode: npm installs packages into the current project directory, which defaults to the current working directory. Packages are installed to
./node_modules, and bins are installed to./node_modules/.bin.
Local mode is the default. Use-g or--global on any command to operate in global mode instead.
Developer Usage
If you're using npm to develop and publish your code, check out the following help topics:
- json: Make a package.json file. See
package.json. - link: For linking your current working code into Node's path, so that you don't have to reinstall every time you make a change. Use
npm linkto do this. - install: It's a good idea to install things if you don't need the symbolic link. Especially, installing other peoples code from the registry is done via
npm install - adduser: Create an account or log in. Credentials are stored in the user config file.
- publish: Use the
npm publishcommand to upload your code to the registry.
Configuration
npm is extremely configurable. It reads its configuration options from 5 places.
- Command line switches: Set a config with
--key val. All keys take a value, even if they are booleans (the config parser doesn't know what the options are at the time of parsing). If no value is provided, then the option is set to booleantrue. - Environment Variables: Set any config by prefixing the name in an environment variable with
npm_config_. For example,export npm_config_key=val. - User Configs: The file at $HOME/.npmrc is an ini-formatted list of configs. If present, it is parsed. If the
userconfigoption is set in the cli or env, then that will be used instead. - Global Configs: The file found at ../etc/npmrc (from the node executable, by default this resolves to /usr/local/etc/npmrc) will be parsed if it is found. If the
globalconfigoption is set in the cli, env, or user config, then that file is parsed instead. - Defaults: npm's default configuration options are defined in lib/utils/config-defs.js. These must not be changed.
Seeconfig for much much more information.
Contributions
Patches welcome!
If you would like to contribute, but don't know what to work on, read the contributing guidelines and check the issues list.
Bugs
When you find issues, please report them:
Be sure to follow the template and bug reporting guidelines. You can also ask for help in thesupport forum if you're unsure if it's actually a bug or are having trouble coming up with a detailed reproduction to report.
Author
Isaac Z. Schlueter ::isaacs ::@izs ::i@izs.me
