Question 1

npm-run-path vs npx: when to use which?

Accepted Answer

Use npm-run-path when you need fine-grained control over the environment in custom scripts or build tools, as it integrates directly with child_process. npx is better for one-off CLI commands or when you prefer a simpler, no-code approach.

Question 2

How to use npm-run-path with async child processes?

Accepted Answer

Pass the environment object from npmRunPathEnv() to the env option of child_process.spawn or execFile. Handle promises or callbacks as per Node.js async patterns, ensuring the modified PATH is used during execution.

Question 3

Does npm-run-path work with monorepos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by setting the cwd option to the appropriate subdirectory, it can include binaries from nested node_modules directories, following npm's resolution logic that walks up the directory tree.

Question 4

Can I use npm-run-path in a Docker container?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, it's useful in Docker to ensure local binaries are available in the container's PATH. Install it as a dependency and invoke it in your entrypoint or build scripts to replicate local development behavior.

Question 5

How to handle PATH conflicts with npm-run-path?

Accepted Answer

Use the preferLocal and addExecPath options to control the order of directories. If issues persist, inspect the returned PATH string or adjust the path option to manually resolve conflicts.

Question 6

Is npm-run-path compatible with TypeScript?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it includes built-in TypeScript definitions, so you can import it directly in TypeScript projects without needing additional @types packages, as confirmed by the ES module import syntax in the README.

npm-run-path

What is npm-run-path?

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