Install dependencies
scpm install installs the dependencies declared in package.json and the
workspace manifests.
scpm install
Most local work does not need a separate install command. scpmr <script>,
scpm test, and scpm exec <bin> check install freshness first. If
package.json or the lockfile changed, scpm installs before running the
script or binary. For one-off tools, scpmx <pkg> installs into a throwaway
environment and runs the binary.
Use scpm install when the install itself is the task: first local setup
without running a script, lockfile updates, Docker layers, production-only
installs, offline installs, linker experiments, and CI flows.
Lockfile modes
| Mode | Command | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Prefer frozen | scpm install --prefer-frozen-lockfile | Local default: reuse a fresh lockfile, re-resolve on drift. |
| Frozen | scpm install --frozen-lockfile | CI should fail if package.json and lockfile disagree. |
| No frozen | scpm install --no-frozen-lockfile | You want a full re-resolve. |
| Fix lockfile | scpm install --fix-lockfile | You want to repair only entries that drifted. |
| Lockfile only | scpm install --lockfile-only | You want to update the lockfile without linking node_modules. |
scpm ci is the strict CI shortcut: it deletes node_modules and then runs a
frozen install.
Dependency filters
scpm install --prod
scpm install --no-optional
--prod skips devDependencies. --no-optional skips optional dependencies.
Network modes
scpm install --prefer-offline
scpm install --offline
--prefer-offline uses cached metadata when available and only hits the
network on a miss. --offline forbids network access entirely.
Linker modes
scpm install --node-linker=isolated
scpm install --node-linker=hoisted
isolated is the pnpm-compatible default. It writes a strict symlink tree under
node_modules/.scpm/. hoisted writes a flatter npm-style tree for projects
that need legacy node_modules assumptions. pnp is not supported.
Store import methods
scpm install --package-import-method=auto
scpm install --package-import-method=hardlink
scpm install --package-import-method=copy
scpm install --package-import-method=clone-or-copy
auto probes the filesystem and chooses the fastest available strategy:
reflink, hardlink, then copy.