laurigates Bun Package Manager
When to Use This Skill
| Scenario | Use this skill | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Installing all project dependencies | Yes | N/A |
| Adding or removing packages | Yes | bun-add for quick single-package additions |
| Updating packages or checking outdated | Yes | N/A |
| Managing workspace dependencies | Yes | N/A |
CI reproducible installs (--frozen-lockfile) |
Yes | N/A |
| Running scripts or tests | No - use bun-development |
bun-test for quick test runs |
| Publishing packages to npm | No - use bun-publishing |
N/A |
| Debugging lockfile conflicts | Yes | bun-lockfile-update for targeted lockfile operations |
Core Expertise
Bun's package manager is significantly faster than npm/yarn/pnpm:
- ~7x faster than npm
- ~4x faster than pnpm
- Native workspace support
- Compatible with npm registry
Essential Commands
Install Dependencies
# Standard install
bun install
# CI/reproducible (frozen lockfile)
bun install --frozen-lockfile
# Production only (no devDependencies)
bun install --production
# Force reinstall
bun install --force
# Dry run (preview)
bun install --dry-run
Add Packages
# Add dependency
bun add <package>
# Add dev dependency
bun add --dev <package>
bun add -d <package>
# Pin exact version (no ^)
bun add --exact <package>
bun add -E <package>
# Global install
bun add --global <package>
bun add -g <package>
# Add to specific workspace
bun add <package> --cwd packages/mylib
Remove Packages
# Remove dependency
bun remove <package>
# Remove from devDependencies
bun remove --dev <package>
# Dry run
bun remove --dry-run <package>
Update Packages
# Update within semver ranges
bun update
# Update to latest (ignore ranges)
bun update --latest
# Interactive selection
bun update --interactive
# Update across workspaces
bun update --recursive
Inspect Dependencies
# Check outdated packages
bun outdated
# Why is package installed?
bun why <package>
# List installed packages
bun pm ls
# View package cache
bun pm cache
Workspace Management
Configuration
{
"name": "monorepo",
"private": true,
"workspaces": ["packages/*", "apps/*"]
}
Workspace Operations
# Install all workspace deps
bun install
# Add to specific workspace
bun add express --cwd apps/api
# Run in matching workspaces
bun run --filter 'package-*' build
# Run in all workspaces
bun run --workspaces test
Inter-workspace Dependencies
{
"dependencies": {
"shared-utils": "workspace:*"
}
}
Agentic Optimizations
| Context | Command |
|---|---|
| CI install | bun install --frozen-lockfile |
| Prod deploy | bun install --production |
| Preview changes | bun add --dry-run <pkg> |
| Exact versions | bun add --exact <pkg> |
| Workspace target | bun add <pkg> --cwd <path> |
| Force refresh | bun install --force |
Quick Reference
| Flag | Short | Description |
|---|---|---|
--frozen-lockfile |
Fail if lockfile changes | |
--production |
-p |
Skip devDependencies |
--dev |
-d |
Add to devDependencies |
--exact |
-E |
Pin exact version |
--global |
-g |
Global install |
--dry-run |
Preview without executing | |
--force |
-f |
Force reinstall all |
--cwd <path> |
Target directory | |
--latest |
Update to latest version | |
--recursive |
Apply across workspaces |
Error Handling
Common Issues
Lockfile mismatch in CI:
# Use frozen lockfile
bun install --frozen-lockfile
Peer dependency conflicts:
# Force install anyway
bun install --force
Package not found:
# Check if package exists
bun why <package>
Environment Variables
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
BUN_OPTIONS |
Global CLI flags |
BUN_INSTALL |
Bun installation directory |