npm is the default package manager for the Node.js ecosystem. It allows developers to install, update, and publish JavaScript packages. npm hosts one of the world’s largest libraries of reusable code, supporting everything from web frameworks to tooling scripts. Projects use npm to manage dependencies and ensure consistent builds. The npm CLI provides commands to initialize projects, run scripts, and audit vulnerabilities. Because JavaScript ecosystems evolve quickly, npm plays a central role in coordinating versioning and distribution.
how it works
Developers specify dependencies in a package.json file, and npm installs them into a project’s node_modules directory. npm uses semantic versioning to determine compatible updates. It caches downloaded packages to speed up future installations. npm scripts allow teams to create shortcuts for tasks like testing, building, or deploying applications. In CI environments, npm is often used to install dependencies and run automated builds. When working with AI generated code, aligning npm versions and dependencies prevents compatibility issues.