CODEWITHSUNDEEP
node.jsreactjsnpmnpm-link
Ali Elkhateeb
Ali Elkhateeb

Reputation: 3703

npm link only dist folder

Is there a way to restrict npm link to create the symlink only to point at ./dist?

I am struggling so far as I want to test my library (react component) locally before publishing.

In my package.json I have included the main (entry point):

"main": "./dist/index.js"

But still when I run npm link it links to the parent folder which has node_modules and so on. This is causing problems cause now I have 2 react apps installed.

I thought of a way to exclude node_modules but I couldn't even find a way to do that.

Upvotes: 25

Views: 20115

Answers (2)

velval
velval

Reputation: 3312

This is actually simpler than expected. First run ng build to build your library project, then go under the dist folder and run npm link from there instead of the library root project. The symlink will be created pointing to the dist folder instead.

Upvotes: 14

name212
name212

Reputation: 1

Using "main" parameter doesn't make sense because npm link use 'npm prefix' for create symlink see here

You can use next hack:

  1. Cd to project directory
  2. Copy package.json from package to ./dist/package.json directory
  3. Cd to dist directory
  4. Run 'npm link'

It looks dirty but seem to only way to do it with npm link

Upvotes: -2

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