NPM tool window

Use the tool window to run npm, pnpm, or Yarn scripts.

Before you start

Download and install Node.js. Note that npm is also installed so if you are going to use it, you are through with the preliminary steps.
To use Yarn, install it as described on the Yarn official website.

Running scripts

The npm tool window opens when you select a package.json file in the Project tool window Alt+1 or open it in the editor and select Show npm Scripts from the context menu.

As soon as you invoke npm, pnpm, or Yarn, the tool starts building a tree of scripts defined within the scripts property of the package.json file on which it was invoked.

If you have several package.json files in your project, you can build a separate script tree for each of them and run scripts without dropping the previously built trees. Each tree is shown under a separate node.

The tool window shows the script output, reports the errors occurred, lists the packages or plugins that have not been found, etc. The name of the last executed script is displayed on the title bar of the tool window.

To build a tree of scripts, do one of the following:

Select the required package.json file in the Project tool window Alt+1 or open it in the editor and choose Show npm Scripts from the context menu.
In the npm tool window, click on the toolbar and choose the required package.json file from the list. By default, IntelliJ IDEA shows the package.json file in the root of your project. If you have another package.json file, click Choose package.json and select the package.json file you need in the dialog that opens. IntelliJ IDEA adds a new node with the path to the chosen package.json file on its title and builds a scripts tree under the new node.

To re-build a tree

Switch to the required node and click on the toolbar.

To sort the scripts in a tree by their names

Click on the toolbar, choose Sort by from the menu, and then choose Name.
By default, a tree shows the scripts in the order in which they are defined in package.json (option Definition order).

Run one script

Double-click the script.
Select the script in the tree and press Enter or choose Run <script name> from the context menu.

Run several scripts

Use the multiselect mode: hold Shift (for adjacent items) or Ctrl (for non-adjacent items) keys and select the required scripts, then choose Run or Debug from the context menu of the selection.

Toolbar

	Add package.json	Click this button to have a tree of scripts for another package.json file built. Choose the required package.json file from the list. IntelliJ IDEA adds a new node and builds a tree of scripts under it.
	Remove package.json	Click this button to remove the tree of scripts under the selected node.
	Reload scripts	Click this button to have the tree of scripts under the selected node re-built. You may need a tree re-built after updating the corresponding package.json file because npm does not apply changes to trees on the fly.
	Collapse all	Click this button to hide all the scripts trees and have only package.json nodes displayed.
		Click this button to configure the current view and to change the viewing modes of the tool window . For more information, refer to Tool window view modes. Note that most of the menu items are options that you can turn on or off. An option which is on has a check mark to the left of its name. The npm-specific options are: Edit npm Configurations: select this option to open the npm Run/Debug Configuration dialog and update the current settings for npm and for the Node interpreter, refer to npm, pnpm, and Yarn. Sort by: select this option to configure the order in which scripts are shown in trees. Click on the toolbar, choose Sort by from the menu, and then choose Name. By default, a tree shows the scripts in the order in which they are defined in package.json (option Definition order).
	Hide	Click this button to hide the tool window. To have it displayed again, select View \| Tool Windows \| npm in the main menu. The tool window appears again showing all the previously built trees of tasks.

Context menu of a tree

npm Settings	Choose this menu item to open the npm Settings dialog and view or edit the Node.js configuration
Jump to Source	Choose this menu item to open the package.json file for which the current tree is built.
Reload scripts	Choose this menu item to have the tree of scripts under the selected node re-built.
Copy Path	Choose this menu item to save the path to the package.json file according to which the current tree was built to the clipboard.
Remove package.json	Choose this menu item to remove the tree of scripts under the selected node.

Context menu of a script

Run <script name>	Choose this menu item to run the selected script.
Edit <script name> settings	Choose this menu item to open the Run/Debug Configuration dialog and edit the predefined settings for the selected script.
Jump to Source	Choose this menu item to open the package.json file for which the current tree is built and navigate to the definition of the selected script.

Last modified: 08 October 2024