How to resolve 'npm should be run outside of t

Question

I am new to node.js. I downloaded and install node.js installer from the official site. I have added this installer folder in PATH environment variable and I am able to run programs. But when I try to install some package using npm in node console it shows the error npm should be run outside of the node repl, in your normal shell. I also tried it on a separate console. But it shows command not found though I have added node in the environment variable.

Answer 1

For Windows users, run npm commands from the Command Prompt (cmd.exe), not Node.Js (node.exe). So your "normal shell" is cmd.exe. (I agree this message can be confusing for a Windows, Node newbie.)

By the way, the Node.js Command Prompt is actually just an easy shortcut to cmd.exe.

Below is an example screenshot for installing grunt from cmd.exe:

Answer 2

As mscdex said NPM comes with the nodejs msi installed file. I happened to just install the node js installer (standalone). To separately add NPM I followed following step

1. Download the latest zip file of NPM from here.
2. Extract it in the same file as that of node js installer.
3. If you have added the directory containing to node js installer to PATH env variable then now even npm should be a recognized command.

Answer 3

It's better to use the actual (msi) installer from nodejs.org instead of downloading the node executable only. The installer includes npm and makes it easier to manage your node installation. There is an installer for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Also a couple of other tidbits:

• Installing modules globally doesn't do what you might expect. The only modules you should install globally (the -g flag in npm) are ones that install commands. So to install Express you would just do npm install express and that will install Express to your current working directory. If you were instead looking for the Express project generator (command), you need to do npm install -g express-generator for Express 4.

• You can use node anywhere from your command prompt to execute scripts. For example if you have already written a separate script: node foo.js. Or you can open up the REPL (as you've already found out) by just selecting the node.js (start menu) shortcut or by just typing node in a command prompt.

Answer 4

you just open command prompt, then enter in c:/>('cd../../') then npm install -g cordova

Answer 5

Just open Node.js commmand promt as run as administrator

Answer 6

Do not run the application using node.js icon.

Go to All Programmes->Node.js->Node.js command prompt.

Below is example screen shot.