node-linker-pro


💾 Keep node_modules out of cloud sync folders by linking them to a local cache.
⚡ Cross-platform: macOS, Linux, and Windows.
📦 One-step global command: npm setup.

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Why this exists

If your projects live in cloud-synced folders like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud, you’ve likely seen these problems:

❌ Slow syncs — node_modules can be hundreds of MBs.
❌ Wasted storage — dependencies don’t need to be backed up.
❌ CPU/bandwidth drain while coding.

✅ Save cloud storage space.
✅ Faster project syncs.
✅ No changes to your workflow.

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The solution

node-linker-pro moves your node_modules to a local cache folder outside
cloud sync, then creates a link back so your project works exactly the same.

$3

``text
/Google Drive/MyProject
package.json
node_modules/ ← huge folder synced to the cloud
`

$3

`text
/Google Drive/MyProject
package.json
node_modules → /Users/you/Library/Caches/node_modules_store/
`

ℹ️ is a unique folder name based on your project path, ensuring no conflicts between different projects.

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Features

- 💾 Save cloud storage space.
- ⚡ Faster project syncs.
- 🌍 Cross-platform: macOS, Linux, Windows.
- 📦 Works with npm, Yarn, and pnpm.
- 🔄 Auto-installs missing dependencies.
- 🛠 No changes to your package.json.

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Installation

Install globally once:

`bash
npm i -g node-linker-pro
`

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Usage

From any project folder:

`bash
npm setup
`

This will:

1. Move node_modules to the cache folder.
2. Create a symlink (mac/Linux) or junction (Windows).
3. Install dependencies if the cache is empty.

If your npm version doesn’t support npm setup:

`bash
npm-setup
`

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Cache locations

| OS | Default cache path |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| macOS | ~/Library/Caches/node_modules_store |
| Linux | ~/.cache/node_modules_store |
| Windows | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp\node_modules_cache |

Custom path:

`bash

mac/Linux

EXTERNAL_NODE_MODULES_DIR="/path/to/cache" npm setup
`

`powershell

Windows PowerShell

$env:EXTERNAL_NODE_MODULES_DIR="D:\path\to\cache"; npm setup
`

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When to use it

✅ You keep projects in Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
✅ You want a cross-platform, cloud-safe workflow.
✅ You switch between multiple OSes and don’t want to re-download dependencies.

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When not to use it

❌ CI/CD pipelines (use npm ci instead).
❌ Highly isolated builds requiring separate installs for security.

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FAQ

Will it break my project?
No. Your tools see node_modules normally.

What if the cache is deleted?
Run npm setup` again — dependencies will reinstall.

Does it require admin rights on Windows?
No, if Developer Mode is enabled. Otherwise, Windows may ask.

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License

MIT — Free to use, modify, and share.

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- npm: node-linker-pro on npm
- GitHub: node-linker-pro on Github