package.json Basics

Create package.json

In an empty project folder:

npm init -y

Key fields

• name and version identify the package
• main or exports point to the entry file for libraries
• scripts define shortcuts like start and test
• dependencies lists packages your app needs to run

Mark the module type

For ES modules in .js files:

{
  "name": "my-app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "type": "module",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node app.js"
  }
}

Commit the lockfile

After installing packages, commit package-lock.json so installs stay reproducible.