Simplifying the use of multiple NodeJS package managers

Introduction

In web development, working on multiple projects often means juggling different JavaScript package managers like npm, yarn, pnpm, or bun. This can be a hassle. Let me introduce you to a simple shell script, pm, that takes the guesswork out of package management. Say goodbye to manually typing commands for each project.

The Script

Copy the script below and save it in your shell configuration file (~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc).

If you prefer using an external .sh file, make sure it’s executable and load it into your shell configuration file.

To make it executable:

chmod +x /path/to/pm.sh

Load it into your shell configuration file:

source /path/to/pm.sh

Once set up, use the pm command in your project directory to automatically run the correct package manager based on the project’s lockfile.

pm install

Conclusion

The pm script streamlines your workflow by detecting the right package manager for your project. Add it to your setup, save time, and enjoy a smoother development process.

Lockfile	Command
package-lock.json	npm
yarn.lock	yarn
pnpm-lock.yaml	pnpm
bun.lockb	bun

Feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions in the gist comments or reach out to me. Happy coding!