Packaging JavaScript Projects

NPM Packaging Guidelines

Prerequisites

• Node.js and npm installed
• Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Your frontend library code ready

Steps

Step 1: Prepare Your Project Structure

• Create a new directory for the package:

mkdir my-frontend-lib  
cd my-frontend-lib

• Set up the basic folder structure:

my-frontend-lib/
├── src/
│   ├── index.js
│   ├── styles.css
│   └── components/
├── examples/
├── package.json
├── README.md
└── .gitignore

Step 2: Initialize the Package

• Run npm init and answer the prompts:

npm init - y

Step 3: Configure package.json

• Edit your package.json to include these essential fields

Step 4: Create Your Library Entry Point

• Create src/index.js as your main entry point

Step 5: Add Your Styles

• Create src/styles.css

Step 6: Create Documentation

• Write a comprehensive README.md

Step 7: Create .gitignore

Step 8: Test Locally

• Before publishing, test your package locally

Step 9: Publish to NPM

• First, create an npm account at npmjs.com
  • Follow instructions

Step 10: Version Management

• Commands for updates

npm version patch   #For bug fixes  
npm version minor  #For new features  
npm version major  #For breaking changes  
npm publish  #Then publish the update

Common Mistakes

• Don't include `node_modules` in your package
• Don't publish sensitive information
• Always test before publishing
• Don't break existing APIs without major version bump
• Include all necessary files in the files array