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Tooling · easy

5. npm and package.json

The manifest that describes your project and its dependencies.

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Every Node project has a `package.json` describing its name, version, entry point, scripts and dependencies. `npm install` reads it, resolves the dependency tree, and writes a `package-lock.json` pinning exact versions for reproducible installs.

json
{
  "name": "rpc-proxy",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "main": "index.js",
  "scripts": { "start": "node index.js", "test": "node --test" },
  "dependencies": { "express": "^4.19.0" },
  "devDependencies": { "vitest": "^1.0.0" }
}

`dependencies` ship to production; `devDependencies` (linters, test runners, bundlers) do not. `npm run <script>` executes anything under `scripts`, and `npm ci` installs strictly from the lockfile — the command CI pipelines should use.

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Check your understanding

  1. 1. What file pins exact resolved versions for reproducible installs?

  2. 2. Which command should CI use for a deterministic install?

  3. 3. Where do test-only tools like a test runner belong?

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