How do I prevent npm install from removing packages?

Question

I\'m trying to set up a development environment with several packages, and as a result I need to manually install some dependencies. More specifically, I have some local ch

Answer 1

Have a look at npm link if you need to test against modified packages.

From npm link: This is handy for installing your own stuff, so that you can work on it and test it iteratively without having to continually rebuild.

Say b is a dependency of a. You made changes to b and want to check if a still works with those changes. Instead of using b in node_modules installed from npm, use your local, modified version:

cd ~/projects/b    # go into the package directory
npm link           # creates global link
cd ~/projects/a    # go into some other package directory.
npm link b         # link-install the package

Now, any changes to ~/projects/b will be reflected in ~/projects/a/node_modules/b/.