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JavaScript npm Basics (retiring) Installing Packages with npm Installing Local Packages

Should I have a node_modules folder inside each project folder or have only one placed outside it?

I mean, should I have a central node_modules folder and install all my packages inside it so, for each project, I would be accessing the packages from this unique folder? Or is it better to have a node_modules for each project folder I create?

1 Answer

Michael Hulet
Michael Hulet
47,912 Points

node_modules is the directory that npm/yarn install the libraries that your project depends on, so it should be project-specific. Ultimately, you can add it to your .gitignore and never think about it again. When you run npm install/yarn add, it will automatically add the dependency to your package.json for your project and install it in your project's node_modules folder

Thank you very much, Michael!