NPM Workspaces

npm Workspaces

Quick Start

// Root package.json
{
  "name": "my-monorepo",
  "private": true,
  "workspaces": ["packages/*"],
  "scripts": {
    "build": "npm run build --workspaces",
    "test": "npm run test --workspaces"
  }
}

Core Commands

Cross-Package Dependencies

// packages/compiler/package.json
{
  "name": "my-compiler",
  "dependencies": {
    "my-parser": "^1.0.0"  // Reference sibling package
  }
}

• Use semver (not file:) for publishable packages
• npm symlinks local packages automatically
• Build order matters: dependencies before dependents

Build Ordering

// Root package.json - explicit order
{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "npm run build -w my-parser && npm run build -w my-compiler && npm run build -w my-cli"
  }
}

Or use a tool like wireit or turbo for dependency-aware builds.

Publishing

# Update versions (from root)
npm version patch -w my-parser
npm version patch -w my-compiler

# Publish all
npm publish --workspaces

# Publish specific
npm publish -w my-parser

Tips

• Use "private": true in root to prevent accidental publish
• Run npm ls to verify dependency resolution
• Use npm explain <pkg> to debug why a package is installed
• Add engines field to enforce Node version
• Use --include-workspace-root to also run in root