# Why is express a dependency?

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-is-express-a-dependency/100727
**Category:** Dashboard
**Created:** [7 April 2026 02:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-is-express-a-dependency/100727 "2026-04-07T02:25:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![AllanOricil](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/allanoricil/32/106911_2.png) [@AllanOricil](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/AllanOricil)
#### Post date: [7 April 2026 02:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-is-express-a-dependency/100727/1 "2026-04-07T02:25:14Z")

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> <https://github.com/FlowFuse/node-red-dashboard/blob/main/package.json#L70>

Isn't the dashboard served by either RED.httpNode || RED.httpAdmin express apps?

I believe that since Node-RED already has it, express should be defined as a peerDependency

> <https://github.com/node-red/node-red/blob/master/package.json#L45>

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### Author: ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)
#### Post date: [7 April 2026 12:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-is-express-a-dependency/100727/2 "2026-04-07T12:17:05Z")

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Have you tested it as a peer dependency?

I don't know if that would work since Node-RED is generally installed globally not locally. And even when installed locally, it is likely in a higher-level folder.

I've not really played with peer-dependencies so I don't know if there are any consequences.

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### Author: ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [7 May 2026 12:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-is-express-a-dependency/100727/3 "2026-05-07T12:17:38Z")

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