JavaScript npm Basics Installing Packages with npm Managing Dependencies in the package.json File

Craig Curtis
Craig Curtis
19,985 Points
Posted by Craig Curtis
Craig Curtis
19,985 Points

Difference between npm install something vs. npm install something --save vs. npm install something --save-dev

I've tried both --save and --save-dev npm installing, but in package.json, I only see something in dependencies rather than dev dependencies. So when do we use each of these?

  1. npm install something
  2. npm install something --save
  3. npm install something --save-dev

1 Answer

Chyno Deluxe
Chyno Deluxe
16,921 Points
Chyno Deluxe
Chyno Deluxe
16,921 Points

Hi Craig,

The differences between all three are as follow.

  1. will install the npm package to your node_modules folder and not be added to the package.json
  2. --save - package(s) required by the application to run
  3. --save-dev - package(s) required for development purpose.
Craig Curtis
Craig Curtis
19,985 Points
Craig Curtis
Craig Curtis
19,985 Points

Ok it makes sense. I was just having an error that threw me off -- my index.html wasn't being updated with --save for some reason the first time. Thank you!

gerardo keys
gerardo keys
14,289 Points

I don't think this is correct any longer. The latest version of npm allows you to do npm install <package> and it does show up in package.json, without needing --save. You may need to update your comment.