[BUG] npx . launches bin script in shell

[PRR24]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

This issue exists in the latest npm version

• I am using the latest npm

Current Behavior

Launching npx . within module executes script defined in package.json/bin in shell.

Expected Behavior

Script is executed with node.
It was executed with node in older versions of the npm.

Steps To Reproduce

1. npm init
2. index.js: console.log("test");
3. package.json: "bin": "./index.js"
4. npm install
5. npx .
6. shell error about console log is displayed (varies from one platfrom to another)

Environment

• npm: 10.2.4
• Node.js: 21
• OS Name: Ubuntu 22.04, Windows 10
• npm config: all commented out

[ljharb]

I’m confused; executing it with node would be up to the shebang in the file referenced by the build script.

[ljharb]

What does which node say?

[PRR24]

/usr/bin/node on Linux and
/usr/local/bin/node on Mac
The index.js file contains only single line of code (above) and node index.js works as expected.

[ljharb]

Ahh. When a package like that is installed, npm creates the appropriate infra required to make it runnable directly, but that wouldn’t be present in the current package.

In which version of npm/npx did this work?

[PRR24]

Works perfectly with npx 6.14.16 / node 14.19.1
Found this issue while upgrading old machine, but couldn't find any notice about the change or a new way to execute node project locally.
Goal is to:

• git clone
• npm install
• [insert command here that is not node somedirectory/subdirectory/app.js, previously npx .]

npm start -- --argument value is the best alternative I have found so far, but it is more error prone for users to write (especially the -- in the middle)

It would be great if npm could detech local usage and support it. I think it would also be reasonable to skip caching the local project.

[PRR24]

One more thing... The package is being copied to ~/.npm/, as a result of executing npx . so it is kind'a getting installed, just from local source, not from npm repo.

[milaninfy]

@PRR24 I think you should have #!/usr/bin/env node in your code file as first line if you are expecting it to be run with node.

[milaninfy]

Closing due to age. If this is still a problem please feel free to reopen this issue, or create a new issue w/ steps to reproduce.