NPM Commands Every Web Developer Must Know

Node Package Manager (NPM) is a crucial tool for web developers, helping manage dependencies, automate tasks, and streamline project workflows. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, mastering essential NPM commands can boost your efficiency. In this guide, we'll explore the most useful NPM commands every web developer should know.

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1. Installing and Managing Packages

1.1 Install a Package Locally

npm install package-name

or

npm i package-name

Installs a package in the node_modules folder and adds it to package.json under dependencies.

Example:

npm install express

Installs Express.js for building web applications.

1.2 Install a Package Globally

npm install -g package-name

Global installation makes the package accessible across all projects.

Example:

npm install -g nodemon

Installs Nodemon, a tool that automatically restarts the server on file changes.

1.3 Install Dev Dependencies

npm install package-name --save-dev

or

npm i package-name -D

Installs packages needed for development but not in production.

Example:

npm install eslint --save-dev

Installs ESLint for code linting.

2. Managing Packages

2.1 Update Packages

npm update package-name

Updates a specific package to the latest compatible version.

Example:

npm update react

Updates React to the latest version allowed by package.json.

2.2 Check for Outdated Packages

npm outdated

Lists all outdated packages in your project.

2.3 Upgrade to Latest Version

npm upgrade

or

npm install package-name@latest

Upgrades all dependencies or a specific package to the latest version.

Example:

npm install lodash@latest

Upgrades Lodash to the latest release.

3. Removing and Cleaning Dependencies

3.1 Uninstall a Package

npm uninstall package-name

or

npm remove package-name

Removes a package from node_modules and package.json.

Example:

npm uninstall moment

Removes Moment.js from the project.

3.2 Remove Unused Packages

npm prune

Deletes unnecessary packages not listed in package.json.

4. Running Scripts

4.1 Run Custom Scripts

npm run script-name

Executes a script defined in package.json.

Example (package.json):

"scripts": {
  "start": "node index.js",
  "dev": "nodemon index.js"
}

To run the development script:

npm run dev

4.2 Start a Project

npm start

Runs the start script from package.json.

5. Initializing and Managing Projects

5.1 Initialize a Project

npm init

Starts an interactive setup to create a package.json file.

For a quicker setup without prompts:

npm init -y

Creates package.json with default values.

5.2 View Installed Packages

npm list

Shows installed dependencies in the project.

For globally installed packages:

npm list -g --depth=0

6. Managing Cache and Debugging

6.1 Clear Cache

npm cache clean --force

Clears the NPM cache to fix installation issues.

6.2 Audit for Security Issues

npm audit

Scans dependencies for vulnerabilities.

To fix issues automatically:

npm audit fix

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Conclusion

Mastering NPM commands is essential for managing packages efficiently in web development. Whether you're installing dependencies, running scripts, or debugging issues, these commands streamline your workflow. Bookmark this guide and improve your development experience!