# Correct position of the .npmrc file for an node-red instance
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694
**Category:** General
**Created:** [16 May 2022 13:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694 "2022-05-16T13:35:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NetHans](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/NetHans)
#### Post date: [16 May 2022 13:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694/1 "2022-05-16T13:35:17Z")
Hello,
I am running multiple node-red instances on a Windows PC.
Each instance runs the same node-red installation. I have made the separation via the `settings.json` file.
I have one node-red installation directory and multiple instance directories (`userDir` in `settings.json`).
Now I wanted to attach a local npm register per instance. Each instance needs its own access token. I wanted to insert this token into the `.npmrc` file and put the file into the `userDir`. Node-RED or npm does not use the npmrc file from the `userDir` when installing a node from my catalog. It always uses the `.npmrc` file from the user context. In my case the file `C:\Users\testuser001\.npmrc`.
Where do I put the `.npmrc` file created specifically for a node-red instance so that npm uses it when installing a node for a specific instance?
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### Author:  [@hardillb](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hardillb)
#### Post date: [16 May 2022 18:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694/2 "2022-05-16T18:52:48Z")
The definative answer is going to come from npm. This is a link to the doc: [npmrc | npm Docs](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v7/configuring-npm/npmrc)
That implies that it should pick up a `.npmrc` file in the `userDir` as that is where the `package.json` and `node_modules` for the nodes installed via the Manage Palette option, npm is run from the `userDir`.
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### Author:  [@NetHans](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/NetHans)
#### Post date: [18 May 2022 09:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694/3 "2022-05-18T09:07:16Z")
Originally it did not work. When I put the file in the `userDir` it was not used. Only after I deleted all `.npmrc` files on the PC and created new ones, it worked. Apparently one `.npmrc` had priority over the ones in `userDir`.
Thanks for your help!
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [1 June 2022 09:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/correct-position-of-the-npmrc-file-for-an-node-red-instance/62694/4 "2022-06-01T09:07:27Z")
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