Proper way to install nodes using npm?

General
1

Hello

I'm developing on an Olimex Olinuxino A20 SBC.

Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
Kernel: Linux 5.10.105-olimex
Architecture: arm

Installed Node-red with the raspberry pi script

From the node-red start I get this info about what software I'm using

Welcome to Node-RED

24 Nov 11:01:28 - [info] Node-RED version: v3.0.2
24 Nov 11:01:28 - [info] Node.js version: v16.18.1
24 Nov 11:01:28 - [info] Linux 5.10.105-olimex arm LE
24 Nov 11:01:33 - [info] Loading palette nodes
24 Nov 11:01:41 - [info] Dashboard version 3.2.3 started at /ui
24 Nov 11:01:42 - [info] Settings file : /home/mauricio/.node-red/settings.js
24 Nov 11:01:42 - [info] Context store : 'default' [module=memory]
24 Nov 11:01:42 - [info] User directory : /home/mauricio/.node-red

Node-red GUI is working fine, I can install modules using Manage palette tool

When I try to install a git clone of a module using cli

~/.node-red$ npm i ~/.dev-js/node-red-contrib-johnny5/

The module get installed, I can see symlink in ~/.node-red/node_modules/

node-red-contrib-johnny5 -> ../../.dev-js/node-red-contrib-johnny5

But no Johnny5 nodes on the Node-red GUI

What am I doing wrong ? What's the propper way to install nodes using npm ?

Thanks

2

Hi @mauricio

If installing nodes in this manner, are you restarting node red after? as you will need to do so..

3

Thank you Marcus, yes I did restart in my first attempt

~/.node-red$ node-red restart

And the results were that

Now, just now, I did npm pack on the git clone directory of the node, and use the Node-red GUI to install the .tgz file, it install the module and I get Nodes Johnny5 available

Although this work, I'd like to know the proper way to install with npm, or if my installation is failing

4

~/.node-red$ npm i ~/.dev-js/node-red-contrib-johnny5/ should be fine
(as long as the node itself is of course :sweat_smile:)

I wonder if this is a permissions problem.
Node RED running under a daemon user, and your account installing the node causing ownership / permission problems on the folder/symlink.

given the UI can load the module (even as an upload) might be related to permission problems.
There was a thread a while ago around the same problem, but for the life of me - can't find it.

5

Thank you Marcus

6

the command is just one "word" node-red-restart (or) node-red-reload
no space between node-red and restart.... otherwise you are just running node-red with a flow file called restart (which will probably be blank :slight_smile:

1 Like
7

Oof! I missed that

8

Awesome !! it works !! That's it !

Thank you

Thank you both

1 Like
9

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