How to npm install to a specified directory?
node.jsNpmnode.js Problem Overview
Is it possible to specify a target directory when running npm install <package>?
node.js Solutions
Solution 1 - node.js
You can use the --prefix option:
mkdir -p ./install/here/node_modules
npm install --prefix ./install/here <package>
The package(s) will then be installed in ./install/here/node_modules. The mkdir is needed since npm might otherwise choose an already existing node_modules directory higher up in the hierarchy. (See npm documentation on folders.)
Solution 2 - node.js
As of npm version 3.8.6, you can use
npm install --prefix ./install/here <package>
to install node_modules folder even when a node_modules directory already exists in the higher up hierarchy.
You can also have a package.json in the current directory and then install it in the specified directory using --prefix option:
npm install --prefix ./install/here
As of npm 6.0.0, you can use
npm install --prefix ./install/here ./
to install the package.json in current directory to "./install/here" directory. There is one thing that I have noticed on Mac that it creates a symlink to parent folder inside the node_modules directory. But, it still works.
NOTE: NPM honours the path that you've specified through the --prefix option. It resolves as per npm documentation on folders, only when npm install is used without the --prefix option.
Solution 3 - node.js
In the documentation it's stated: Use the prefix option together with the global option:
> The prefix config defaults to the location where node is installed. On > most systems, this is /usr/local. On windows, this is the exact > location of the node.exe binary. On Unix systems, it's one level up, > since node is typically installed at {prefix}/bin/node rather than > {prefix}/node.exe. > > When the global flag is set, npm installs things into this prefix. > When it is not set, it uses the root of the current package, or the > current working directory if not in a package already.
(Emphasis by them)
So in your root directory you could install with
npm install --prefix <path/to/prefix_folder> -g
and it will install the node_modules folder into the folder
<path/to/prefix_folder>/lib/node_modules
Solution 4 - node.js
I am using a powershell build and couldn't get npm to run without changing the current directory.
Ended up using the start command and just specifying the working directory:
start "npm" -ArgumentList "install --warn" -wo $buildFolder