# Bun Add a dependency

> Add a dependency

- Skill: `jarle/bun-add-a-dependency` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jarle/bun-add-a-dependency`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jarle/bun-add-a-dependency/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: jarle (https://skillmd.com/u/jarle)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jarle/bun-add-a-dependency

---


# Add a dependency

To add an npm package as a dependency, use `bun add`.

```sh terminal icon="terminal" theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
bun add zod
```

***

This will add the package to `dependencies` in `package.json`. By default, the `^` range specifier will be used, to indicate that any future minor or patch versions are acceptable.

```json package.json icon="file-json" theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
{
  "dependencies": {
    "zod": "^3.0.0" // [!code ++]
  }
}
```

***

To "pin" to an exact version of the package, use `--exact`. This will add the package to `dependencies` without the `^`, pinning your project to the exact version you installed.

```sh terminal icon="terminal" theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
bun add zod --exact
```

***

To specify an exact version or a tag:

```sh terminal icon="terminal" theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dracula"}}
bun add zod@3.0.0
bun add zod@next
```

***

See [Docs > Package manager](/pm/cli/install) for complete documentation of Bun's package manager.