npm doesn't open

[cyntaxd]

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I am currently following the book 'The Road to React', did all the things right, downloaded the lated version of npm and node. However, when I went to install Vite through the npm app, the app itself just would not open. Like it would appear for a split second and then dissapear. I've run it as administrator, repaired the download files through the downloader thing, but nothing works. (if it is important I'm not the administrator of the device I'm working on)

[shondsouza]

It sounds like you’re trying to open npm like an app, but npm isn’t something that opens with a window. It’s a command-line tool, so you’ll need to use it from a terminal (like Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Git Bash).

Try this:

Open Command Prompt (search for cmd in Windows).

Type:

node -v
npm -v

If both show version numbers, Node and npm are installed correctly.

To create a new Vite project, run:

npm create vite@latest my-app
cd my-app
npm install
npm run dev

That should start your Vite project.
If npm still doesn’t work in the terminal, you may need to reinstall Node.js and check the “Add to PATH” option during installation.

[cyntaxd]

I saw it as an app from the Windows Search, so that was how I thought I was supposed to use it. Thanks for the answer!

[mohammedinzi]

It looks like you’re trying to open npm like a normal desktop app, but npm doesn’t have a windowed interface. It’s a command-line tool, so you’ll need to run it from a terminal.

Here’s how you can check and set up Vite properly:

1. Open a terminal

   • On Windows: press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
   • Or open PowerShell (search for it in the Start menu).

2. Verify your installation
   Run these commands:

   node -v npm -v

   If both print version numbers, then Node.js and npm are installed correctly.

3. Create a new Vite project

   npm create vite@latest my-app cd my-app npm install npm run dev

   This will start the Vite dev server, and you’ll see the project running in your browser.

👉 Important note: If node -v or npm -v don’t work, reinstall [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) and make sure to check the “Add to PATH” option during installation. Without that, the terminal won’t recognize npm.

So npm isn’t broken — it just doesn’t open like a regular app. You always use it inside a terminal to run commands.

[jerryjames2001]

Hi @cyntaxd

It sounds like you're running into a frustrating issue with Vite not opening properly after installation. Since you're not the administrator of the device, there might be some restrictions or settings that could be causing the issue, but let's go through a few potential solutions to get you back on track:

1. Check Permissions:

Since you mentioned you're not the administrator, some permissions might be restricted. Try the following:

Run as Administrator: Even though you've tried this, double-check if you're running the terminal or command prompt as an administrator. Sometimes, certain commands may need elevated permissions to work properly.

Ensure Write Permissions: Make sure you have write access to the folder where you're installing Vite. Without the necessary permissions, the app might not be able to open or install correctly.

2. Check for Errors in the Command Line:

Open your terminal (command prompt or PowerShell), and try running Vite directly from there to see if any error messages show up. If Vite is failing silently when you try to open it, the command line might show useful error logs that could give us more insight into the issue.

npm create vite@latest

If there's an error, feel free to share it, and we can troubleshoot further!

3. Reinstall Dependencies:

Sometimes, corrupted or incomplete installations can cause issues.

Try deleting your node_modules folder (if it exists) and then reinstalling the dependencies by running:

npm install

Then, try running the Vite project again.

4. Check Vite Installation:

If you're not sure whether Vite is properly installed, try running the following to check:

npm list vite

This will show whether Vite is listed as a dependency in your project. If it's missing, you might need to reinstall it:

npm install vite

5. Test in a New Project:

If the issue is isolated to your current project, try creating a fresh Vite project to see if it behaves the same way:

npm create vite@latest my-app cd my-app npm install npm run dev

This will help determine whether the issue is related to your current setup or Vite in general.

6. Check for System Restrictions:

Since you're not the administrator of your device, there could be security settings preventing certain applications from opening. In that case, you may need to check with the system administrator to make sure that there are no restrictions on running certain software or using npm packages.

If the issue persists, feel free to provide more details, and we can dive deeper into troubleshooting!

Hope this helps, and best of luck with your React journey!

[kumarbasnet100]

1. Check how you’re installing Vite
   Vite is not a standalone app, so it doesn’t open like a normal application. It’s a development tool that runs through the command line (Terminal / Command Prompt / PowerShell). If you’re trying to open “Vite” as a program from your system apps, that’s why it disappears immediately.
   The correct installation is via npm (Node Package Manager) in the terminal:

Create a new project with Vite
npm create vite@latest my-app
Go into the project folder
cd my-app
Install dependencies
npm install
Start the dev server
npm run dev
After running npm run dev, you’ll see a URL (usually http://localhost:5173) where your app is running in the browser. You don’t “open” Vite directly as an app.

2. Check Node and npm versions
   Make sure you have the right versions installed. In the terminal, run:
   node -v
   npm -v
   You should see something like:
   v20.x.x
   9.x.x
   If not, reinstall Node from the official site, and make sure the “Add to PATH” option is checked.

3. Permissions on your device
   Since you’re not the administrator of your computer:
   Some npm packages might fail to install globally.
   To avoid permission issues, use local installs rather than global ones.
   For example, instead of:
   npm install -g create-vite
   Just run:
   npm create vite@latest my-app
   This doesn’t require admin privileges.

4. Try running terminal as administrator
   If some commands still fail, open Command Prompt / PowerShell as Administrator (if your account allows it), then run the Vite commands.

Hope this will find you well.