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JavaScript

Posted by Mindy Sandilands
Mindy Sandilands
15,743 Points

Error when installing http-server npm package. Permission denied.

Here's the error I get when I try and install http-server globally. I was using the link provided in the teacher notes for instructions on http-server. Any help? I am a beginner with the terminal and I am uncomfortable taking chances here.

Mindys-MBP:~ mindysandilands1$ npm install http-server -g npm ERR! tar.unpack untar error /Users/mindysandilands1/.npm/http-server/0.9.0/package.tgz npm ERR! Darwin 14.5.0 npm ERR! argv "/usr/local/bin/node" "/usr/local/bin/npm" "install" "http-server" "-g" npm ERR! node v4.4.5 npm ERR! npm v2.15.5 npm ERR! path /usr/local/lib/node_modules/http-server npm ERR! code EACCES npm ERR! errno -13 npm ERR! syscall mkdir

npm ERR! Error: EACCES: permission denied, mkdir '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/http-server' npm ERR! at Error (native) npm ERR! { [Error: EACCES: permission denied, mkdir '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/http-server'] npm ERR! errno: -13, npm ERR! code: 'EACCES', npm ERR! syscall: 'mkdir', npm ERR! path: '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/http-server', npm ERR! fstream_type: 'Directory', npm ERR! fstream_path: '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/http-server', npm ERR! fstream_class: 'DirWriter', npm ERR! fstream_stack: npm ERR! [ '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/npm/node_modules/fstream/lib/dir-writer.js:35:25', npm ERR! '/usr/local/lib/node_modules/npm/node_modules/mkdirp/index.js:47:53', npm ERR! 'FSReqWrap.oncomplete (fs.js:82:15)' ] } npm ERR! npm ERR! Please try running this command again as root/Administrator.

npm ERR! Please include the following file with any support request: npm ERR! /Users/mindysandilands1/npm-debug.log

2 Answers

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points
Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points

Hi Mindy,

You simply need to run the npm command as sudo as the default location for NodeJS packages on OS X is protected by the admin group.

sudo npm install http-server -g

You will just need to enter your account password but after that, the installation of http-server will succeed.

Happy coding!

Mindy Sandilands
Mindy Sandilands
15,743 Points

Thanks a bunch. That worked perfect.

Routine Poutine
Routine Poutine
26,050 Points
Routine Poutine
Routine Poutine
26,050 Points

Thanks! I didn't realize the permission required was mine. haha.

tomasvukasovic
tomasvukasovic
24,022 Points
tomasvukasovic
tomasvukasovic
24,022 Points

Go to your lib folder and assign full permissions, you can do it through the terminal by writing chmod 777, remember to go to the folder before you run that command

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points
Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points

As mentioned in my reply below, this error is caused by group level folder permissions that restrict users from writing to it. It is highly recommended not changing permissions to system folders as it can create system level vulnerabilities.