h# npm - a JavaScript package manager

Requirements

One of the following versions of Node.js must be installed to run npm:

• 18.x.x >= 18.17.0
• 20.5.0 or higher

Installation

npm comes bundled with node, & most third-party distributions, by default. Officially supported downloads/distributions can be found at: nodejs.org/en/download

Direct Download

You can download & install npm directly from npmjs.com using our custom install.sh script:

curl -qL https://www.npmjs.com/install.sh | sh

Node Version Managers

If you're looking to manage multiple versions of Node.js &/or npm, consider using a node version manager

Usage

npm <command>

Links & Resources

• Documentation - Official docs & how-tos for all things npm
  • Note: you can also search docs locally with npm help-search <query>
• Bug Tracker - Search or submit bugs against the CLI
• Roadmap - Track & follow along with our public roadmap
• Feedback - Contribute ideas & discussion around the npm registry, website & CLI
• RFCs - Contribute ideas & specifications for the API/design of the npm CLI
• Service Status - Monitor the current status & see incident reports for the website & registry
• Project Status - See the health of all our maintained OSS projects in one view
• Events Calendar - Keep track of our Open RFC calls, releases, meetups, conferences & more
• Support - Experiencing problems with the npm website or registry? File a ticket here

Acknowledgments

• npm is configured to use the npm Public Registry at https://registry.npmjs.org by default; Usage of this registry is subject to Terms of Use available at https://npmjs.com/policies/terms
• You can configure npm to use any other compatible registry you prefer. You can read more about configuring third-party registries here

FAQ on Branding

Is it "npm" or "NPM" or "Npm"?

npm should never be capitalized unless it is being displayed in a location that is customarily all-capitals (ex. titles on man pages).

Is "npm" an acronym for "Node Package Manager"?

Contrary to popular belief, npm is not in fact an acronym for "Node Package Manager"; It is a recursive bacronymic abbreviation for "npm is not an acronym" (if the project was named "ninaa", then it would be an acronym). The precursor to npm was actually a bash utility named "pm", which was the shortform name of "pkgmakeinst" - a bash function that installed various things on various platforms. If npm were to ever have been considered an acronym, it would be as "node pm" or, potentially "new pm".