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When creating a Node.js project, you will be installing a lot of different things along the way. If you want to share your project with others, you need to have a list of the things you installed, so that other people know what to install in order to run the project.
In Node.js, this 'list' file is called a package.json. The 'things you've installed' are referred to as dependencies. Creating this file is the first step in setting up your Node.js project.
Let's start by creating the package.json file. We can add things to it as the project grows. The package.json file is easy to create from the command line. Type the following command into your terminal to get started:
{% code title="Command line" %}
$ npm init{% endcode %}
{% hint style="info" %} No need to include the dollar sign ($) when typing this command. It's there by convention when using the terminal. {% endhint %}
This command will initialise a step-by-step process for creating the package.json. You should see something like this:
It will ask you the following questions:
name
npm suggests a default name for your project in brackets. If you want to give it your own name, just type it next to the brackets and press Enter. Or if you're happy with the default name, just press Enter.
version
This is your first project, so it will be version 1.0.0! Nothing to change here, so just press Enter.
description
A description of your project. Write whatever you want and press Enter.
entry point
This file will be the starting point for your whole project. Let's change this from (index.js) to server.js, as we will be building a server later on!
Type server.js and press Enter.
test command
Skip this one for now...press Enter.
git repository
This is where your project would live on GitHub. Press Enter.
keywords
(Optional) You can add keywords to help people find your project if they search for it.
author
It's your project, so write your name! You can use your GitHub name or your actual name.
license
You can add a license, but we'll skip this.
You will see a confirmation of your package.json. If you're happy with it, press Enter to finalise its creation.
Great! You should now see a new file called package.json in your project's folder.