How do I install a module globally using npm

Question

I recently installed Node js and npm module on OSX and have a problem with the settings I think   npm install  MODULE  is not installing the node js module to the default path  which is  usr local lib node modules

User · Accepted Answer

If you want to install a npm module globally, make sure to use the new -g flag, for example:

npm install forever -g

The general recommendations concerning npm module installation since 1.0rc (taken from blog.nodejs.org):

If you’re installing something that you want to use in your program, using require('whatever'), then install it locally, at the root of your project.

If you’re installing something that you want to use in your shell, on the command line or something, install it globally, so that its binaries end up in your PATH environment variable.

I just recently used this recommendations and it went down pretty smoothly. I installed forever globally (since it is a command line tool) and all my application modules locally.

However, if you want to use some modules globally (i.e. express or mongodb), take this advice (also taken from blog.nodejs.org):

Of course, there are some cases where you want to do both. Coffee-script and Express both are good examples of apps that have a command line interface, as well as a library. In those cases, you can do one of the following:

Install it in both places. Seriously, are you that short on disk space? It’s fine, really. They’re tiny JavaScript programs.

Install it globally, and then npm link coffee-script or npm link express (if you’re on a platform that supports symbolic links.) Then you only need to update the global copy to update all the symlinks as well.

The first option is the best in my opinion. Simple, clear, explicit. The second is really handy if you are going to re-use the same library in a bunch of different projects. (More on npm link in a future installment.)

I did not test one of those variations, but they seem to be pretty straightforward.

User · Answer

You might not have write permissions to install a node module in the global location such as  usr local lib node modules  in which case run npm install -g package as root

User · Answer

In Ubuntu  set path of node modules in  bashrc file     export PATH   home username node modules  bin  PATH

User · Answer

On a Mac  I found the output contained the information I was looking for     gt  npm install -g karma          gt  ws 0 4 25 install  usr local share npm lib node modules karma node modules socket io node modules socket io-client node modules ws  gt   node-gyp rebuild 2 gt  builderror log      exit 0        gt  ls  usr local share npm bin karma nf   After adding  usr local share npm bin to the export PATH line in my  bash profile  saving it  and sourceing it  I was able to run      gt  karma --help   normally

User · Answer

I like using a package json file in the root of your app folder   Here is one I use  nvm use v0 6 4   http   pastie org 3232212  npm install

User · Answer

I had issues installing Express on Ubuntu   If for some reason NPM command is missing  test npm command with npm help  If not there  follow these steps - http   arnolog net post 8424207595 installing-node-js-npm-express-mongoose-on-ubuntu  If just the Express command is not working  try   sudo npm install -g express   This made everything work as I m used to with Windows7 and OSX   Hope this helps

User · Answer

You need to have superuser privileges     sudo npm install -g  lt package name gt

[node.js] How do I install a module globally using npm?

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