Smart Install CLI

A cross-platform intelligent CLI that automatically detects your project’s package manager, fixes Node.js version mismatches, cleans caches, and installs dependencies safely — even handling NVM version switches automatically.

Smart Install CLI detects your environment, selects the right package manager, cleans old lock files, ensures Node.js compatibility, and performs safe installations automatically.

Features

• Auto-detects your package manager (npm, yarn, pnpm, bun)
• Automatically switches Node.js version via NVM
• Cleans node_modules and lock files before install
• Auto-retries after environment fix or version switch
• Built-in --doctor and --fix commands for quick repair
• Works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Integrated with VS Code via Safe Packages Installation Extension

Installation

npm install -g smart-install-packages
# or
yarn global add smart-install-packages

Basic Usage

smart-install

Smart Install will:

1. Detect your project’s package manager
2. Verify Node.js version compatibility
3. Switch Node version if required (via nvm)
4. Clean node_modules and lock files
5. Install dependencies safely

Example Output

Smart Install CLI
========================================
Current directory: C:\Projects\MyApp
CLI location: C:\Users\KZ\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\smart-install-packages\bin
----------------------------------------
Initializing Smart Install...
Using package manager: YARN
Cleaning project files...
Running: yarn install
Detected Node mismatch — switching to Node 18.12.0...
Node v18.12.0 activated successfully.
Re-running installation...
Installation finished successfully!

CLI Flags

| Flag | Description | | ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | | --clean-only | Remove node_modules and lockfiles only | | --force | Force reinstall dependencies | | --manager <name> | Use specific manager (npm, yarn, pnpm, bun) | | --debug | Show detailed logs | | --auto-relaunch | Auto-relaunch after Node switch | | --skip-switch | Skip Node version switching | | --status | Show current Node and engine compatibility | | --fix | Fix Node and manager issues before install | | --doctor | Diagnose Node/NVM/network environment | | --requirements | Show project requirements before installing | | --keep-terminal-open | Keep terminal open after relaunch | | --list-flags | Display all supported flags | | --help | Show help menu |

Examples

Clean Project Only

smart-install --clean-only

Force Fresh Install

smart-install --force

Use Specific Manager

smart-install --manager npm

Diagnose Environment

smart-install --doctor

Auto-Fix Node & Dependencies

smart-install --fix

Advanced Commands

Check Requirements Before Installing

smart-install --requirements

View Compatibility Status

smart-install --status

VS Code Integration

Smart Install integrates directly with VS Code through the companion extension:
Safe Packages Installation

This allows automatic installation and repair after cloning or switching branches — perfect for teams and CI/CD environments.

Error Handling

Smart Install gracefully handles:

• Node version mismatches (auto-switches)
• Missing package managers (auto-installs globally)
• Locked files or corrupted caches
• Network or permission errors

If Node remains undetected after switching, run:

nvm use <version>
smart-install --skip-switch

Changelog

v1.0.0**

• Initial stable release
• Full Windows/macOS/Linux support
• Added Node auto-switch via NVM
• Implemented --doctor, --fix, --requirements
• Improved error handling and flag detection
• Added VS Code integration

Author

Kerolos Zakaria
Portfolio • GitHub • npm • LinkedIn • VS Code Marketplace

License

MIT License © 2025 Kerolos Zakaria