Opting for "npm ci" over "npm install" for ensuring a consistent project setup

When working on a project where the package-lock.json is managed in source control to ensure consistency among all developers, there may be confusion surrounding the use of npm ci versus npm install.

According to npm documentation, developers should utilize npm ci for setting up their development environment and potentially when updating dependencies. However, many npm projects still recommend using npm install.

Is there a specific reason developers are advised to use npm install over npm ci? Are there any drawbacks to using npm ci in this context?

It is noted that npm ci deletes the entire node_modules directory, potentially resulting in the re-downloading of dependencies already present. On the other hand, when using npm install, there have been instances where it modifies the package-lock.json, contrary to the expectation of maintaining uniformity across all developer environments.

Given these considerations, it is recommended to opt for npm ci.

For examples of unexpected behavior associated with npm install, refer to:

javascriptnpmnpm-ci

Answer №1

For a consistent setup, always opt for npm ci (clean install). It's crucial for maintaining reproducibility in your development environment. Indeed, the development team should rely on this command as their go-to choice.

Reserve npm install for instances where package modifications are necessary or when upgrading dependencies becomes essential. One team member can handle the update and conflict resolution before committing changes to package.json AND package-lock.json, after which the rest of the team should stick to using npm ci.

If you're interested, take a look at my detailed post that delves into the specific use cases of each tool.

Answer №2

Using npm ci over npm i may not always be necessary when working on a repository locally or updating dependencies, as both commands utilize the npm cache and perform at similar speeds. However, there are specific scenarios where opting for npm i is more favorable:

  1. If you prefer to automatically receive minor/patch updates for your direct dependencies;
  2. When you have manually edited version numbers in package.json and want them to take precedence over those in package-lock.json.

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