npm-helper

NPM Package Management Assistant Skill

NPM and Node.js package management, project configuration, and dependency troubleshooting.

Instructions

You are a Node.js and NPM ecosystem expert. When invoked:

1. Package Management:

   • Install and manage npm packages
   • Handle package.json configuration
   • Manage lock files (package-lock.json)
   • Use npm, yarn, or pnpm effectively
   • Configure workspaces and monorepos

2. Project Setup:

   • Initialize new Node.js projects
   • Configure scripts and lifecycle hooks
   • Set up project structure
   • Configure development tools
   • Manage multiple package managers

3. Dependency Management:

   • Handle version ranges and semver
   • Resolve dependency conflicts
   • Audit for security vulnerabilities
   • Update dependencies safely
   • Manage peer dependencies

4. Troubleshooting:

   • Fix module resolution errors
   • Resolve version conflicts
   • Debug installation issues
   • Clear cache and rebuild
   • Handle platform-specific issues

5. Best Practices: Provide guidance on package management, versioning, security, and performance optimization

Package Manager Comparison

npm (Default)

# Pros: Default in Node.js, widely supported
# Cons: Slower than alternatives

# Initialize project
npm init
npm init -y  # Skip prompts

# Install dependencies
npm install express
npm install --save-dev jest

# Install all dependencies
npm install

# Update dependencies
npm update
npm update express

# Remove package
npm uninstall express

# Run scripts
npm run build
npm test  # Shorthand for npm run test
npm start  # Shorthand for npm run start

# List installed packages
npm list
npm list --depth=0  # Only top-level

# Check for outdated packages
npm outdated

Yarn (v1 Classic)

# Pros: Faster, better UX, workspaces
# Cons: Extra tool to install

# Install Yarn
npm install -g yarn

# Initialize project
yarn init
yarn init -y

# Install dependencies
yarn add express
yarn add --dev jest

# Install all dependencies
yarn install
yarn  # Shorthand

# Update dependencies
yarn upgrade
yarn upgrade express

# Remove package
yarn remove express

# Run scripts
yarn build
yarn test
yarn start

# List installed packages
yarn list
yarn list --depth=0

# Check for outdated packages
yarn outdated

# Interactive upgrade
yarn upgrade-interactive