Node, NPM common used commands

Below are some of the most commonly used commands when working with Node.js, including managing and publishing packages. This post may be constantly updated.

Initiating Project

Command	Description	Example
npm init	Create a package.json file under the current directory	(will prompt to input several default information) npm init or (no prompt, will set required information to its default value) npm init --yes

Managing Packages

Before working on packages, make sure you are aware on how Semantic Versioning (semver) works. To check, you can use https://semver.npmjs.com/

~1.2.3 = tilde indicates that npm will install the most recent patch

^1.2.3 = caret symbol indicates that npm will install the most recent minor version to this package

Command	Description	Example
npm install	Install all dependencies defined under the package.json file install command with <package name> will install the package in the local project, unless the flag -g is specified	npm install or (short hand) npm i or npm i express or (to install specific version) npm i express@4.17.0 (to install latest version) npm i express@latest
npm outdated	display which package will be updated if npm update will execute. It will be updated to the version indicated under “Wanted” column	npm outdated
npm update	Update dependencies	npm update
npm show <package name> versions	List all available versions on the specified package	npm show express versions
npm ls	List down all package installed in local project and its version	npm ls

Debugging

Command	Description	Example
node –inspect-brk	Run the node.js script in debug mode	node --inspect-brk <script to use> After executing the command, use Google Chrome browser then go to chrome://inspect/ This will open up the “inspect” tool to inspect the script you are using

Publishing Node.js Packages

Commands below requires an account on https://www.npmjs.com/

Command	Description	Example
npm login	Login to npmjs.com to publish node.js packages	npm login Note: will prompt for npmjs.com user account
npm publish	Publish the specified node.js package	npm publish