GAZAR

Principal Engineer | Mentor

Why You Might Want to Switch to pnpm from npm

Why You Might Want to Switch to pnpm from npm

If you’re still using npm for your project, you might want to consider giving pnpm a try. It’s a package manager that’s been getting a lot of attention, and for good reason. Here’s why pnpm might be a better fit for your development workflow:

1. Saves Disk Space Like a Pro

One of the coolest features of pnpm is its ability to save disk space. Instead of duplicating packages across your projects, pnpm stores them in a global store and creates hard links. This means if you’re working on multiple projects that depend on the same version of a package, pnpm keeps just one copy of it on your disk. Less clutter, more space!

2. Faster Installations

Ever been frustrated by slow package installations? pnpm has your back. It installs packages in parallel, which speeds things up compared to npm. Plus, it uses a global cache, so once a package is downloaded, it’s ready to go for other projects without needing to re-download it. Quicker installs mean more time coding and less time waiting.

3. Keeps Dependencies in Check

With pnpm, you get strict dependency resolution. It avoids the problem of accidentally using the wrong versions of packages because it enforces the exact versions specified in your package.json. This can save you from those annoying bugs that come from version mismatches.

4. Perfect for Monorepos

If you’re working on a monorepo with multiple packages, pnpm makes life easier. Its workspace feature lets you manage all your packages in one place, ensuring that all versions stay consistent and your workflow remains smooth. Say goodbye to dependency headaches in your monorepo!

5. Boosts Security

By using strict isolation for dependencies, pnpm helps you avoid accidentally pulling in packages that shouldn’t be there. This can enhance the security of your project by reducing the risk of dependency conflicts and other issues.

6. Better Lockfile Management

pnpm’s lockfile, pnpm-lock.yaml, is designed to be more efficient and reliable compared to npm’s package-lock.json. This means you get more consistent and reproducible builds, making sure everyone on your team is working with the same setup.

7. Modern and Feature-Rich

pnpm also supports the workspace feature defined in package.json, making it easier to manage multiple packages. It comes with various performance optimizations that streamline your development process.

Bottom Line

Switching to pnpm can bring some serious advantages, especially if you’re dealing with large projects or monorepos. It saves space, speeds up installations, keeps your dependencies in check, and enhances security. If these perks sound good to you, it might be worth giving pnpm a shot.

Happy coding!