pici

Minimal CLI to install a subset of dependencies from your main package.json.

Install only the dependencies you need from your main package.json, saving time and disk space. Perfect for monorepos, microservices, CI/CD, or when you only need a few tools.

How it works: Temporarily creates a minimal package.json with only the packages you want to install, runs npm install, then restores your original files. Your package.json, package-lock.json, and yarn.lock files are automatically backed up and restored.

Note: Temporary backup files (.pici.backup) may appear briefly during installation but are automatically cleaned up.

Installation

Local development

npm install -g pici
# or
yarn global add pici

CI/CD (recommended)

# Use npx with a fixed version for reproducible builds (--yes auto-accepts installation prompt)
npx --yes [email protected]
# or shorthand
npx -y [email protected]
# or use latest (not recommended for CI)
npx --yes pici

Usage

Example workflow

# 1. Add packages to a custom file (creates package.custom.json if it doesn't exist)
# If installed globally:
pici add react
pici add lodash package.test.json  # Or use a custom file name
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici add react
npx --yes pici add lodash package.test.json

# 2. Install from the custom file
# If installed globally:
pici install                      # Uses package.custom.json by default
pici package.test.json           # Or specify a custom file
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici install
npx --yes pici package.test.json

Install a single package

# If installed globally:
pici install <package>          # Installs a package with version from package.json
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici install <package>

Add packages to a custom file

# If installed globally:
pici add lodash                 # Adds to package.custom.json
pici add lodash package.test.json  # Adds to custom file
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici add lodash
npx --yes pici add lodash package.test.json

Custom file format

Create a JSON file (e.g., package.test.json):

{
  "dependencies": {
    "react": "",         // Uses version from package.json
    "lodash": "4.17.21"  // Uses this specific version
  }
}

Then install from it:

# If installed globally:
pici install package.test.json
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici install package.test.json

• Empty version: Uses version from main package.json
• Specified version: Installs that version directly

Specify dependency fields

# If installed globally:
pici install --fields=dependencies,devDependencies
# Or using npx:
npx --yes pici install --fields=dependencies,devDependencies

By default, reads from dependencies, devDependencies, peerDependencies, and optionalDependencies.

Features

• Install only a subset of dependencies
• Automatically backs up and restores package.json, package-lock.json, and yarn.lock
• Safe to use with yarn projects (doesn't modify yarn.lock)
• Supports all dependency fields
• Custom dependency files

License

MIT