[BUG] npm install <folder> runs prepare

[winstliu]

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

Running npm install ../../some/other/path/globals will attempt to run globals' prepare script.

Expected Behavior

I would expect the script not to run, as the documentation for prepare says "Runs on local npm install without any arguments". This is not a local npm install witout any arguments - I view it the same as npm install globals, which does not run prepare.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Install the globals package somewhere
2. In a completely different folder, run npm install ../path/to/globals to try to symlink it
3. :(

Environment

• npm: 11.1.0
• Node.js: 22.14.0
• OS Name: Windows 11 24H2
• System Model Name: Surface
• npm config:

; This is the only non-commented, non-authentication line
prefix = "C:\\Users\\winstonliu\\AppData\\Roaming\\npm"

[milaninfy]

@winstliu I believe it's a special case of prepare script for linked dependencies.

https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v11/using-npm/scripts

prepare is only run if the current directory is a symlink (e.g. with linked packages)

you can use ignore-scripts or install-links flags to control the way it's installed.