npm update and npm install are two commands used in the Node.js ecosystem for managing packages. (2024)

npm update and npm install are two commands used in the Node.js ecosystem for managing packages.

npm install is used to install a package or a set of packages from the npm registry. This command reads the package.json file and installs all the dependencies listed in it. For example, if you run npm install express, it will install the latest version of the Express package and add it to the dependencies in your package.json file.

On the other hand, npm update is used to update the installed packages to their latest version. This command will update all the packages that are currently installed to their latest version according to the version range specified in the package.json file. If the version range is not specified, it will update the packages to the latest stable version available.

So, the main difference between npm install and npm update is that the former installs the packages while the latter updates the installed packages to their latest versions.

Summary: The only big difference is that an already installed module with fuzzy versioning …

• gets ignored by npm install
• gets updated by npm update

Additionally: install and update by default handle devDependencies differently

• npm install will install/update devDependencies unless --production flag is added
• npm update will ignore devDependencies unless --dev flag is added

Why use npm install at all?

Because npm install does more when you look besides handling your dependencies in package.json. As you can see in npm install you can ...

• manually install node-modules
• set them as global (which puts them in the shell’s PATH) using npm install -g <name>
• install certain versions described by git tags
• install from a git url
• force a reinstall with --force