NPM

npm is installed as part of Node.js install (no additional work needed)

Use switch -v to get the installed version of npm

>npm -v
7.6.3

Update Version

Install latest version of npm.

>npm install -g npm@latest
or
>npm install -g npm

Initialize Project

Initialize project via prompts.

>npm init

Install Public Package

Install a public package using npm.

Where "http-status-codes" is an example public package.

Note that the installed module will be put in the dependencies list in "package.json".

>npm install http-status-codes

Install Package With Dev Dependency

Use the "--save-dev" (or "-D") switch to install a package with a dev dependency.

This is for development-only packages.

Note that the installed module will be put in the devDependencies list in "package.json".

>npm install --save-dev foo
or
>npm install -D foo

Install Package Globally

Use the "-g" switch to install a package globally.

Note: With Node.js it is suggested to rarely install global packages.

>npm install -g foo

Install Dependencies (Dev)

Note: When archiving, submitting, delivering our code we should first delete the "node_modules" directory.

To rebuild it we simply do the vanilla "install" command as shown.

This will install all dependencies from "package.json".

>npm install

Install Dependencies (Production)

We simply add the "--production" flag when installing dependencies in production.

This will install with dependencies and without devDependencies (from "package.json").

>npm install --production

Initialize Project (No Prompts)

The command shown will initialize without prompts (accepting all defaults).

We might do this for scratch (throw-away) projects.

>npm -y init

NPM Sanity Check (Troubleshooting)

If you want to do a simple test that npm is working, or your are troubleshooting, here is a short npm sanity check.