Free course

npm and Package Publishing Course

Create, test, package, publish, secure, version, and maintain a small npm package as a real consumer contract.

5 modules · 25 lessons · No signup

Prerequisites: JavaScript and Node.js

~~~

Your progress

of lessons completed.

Course completed.

What you'll learn

Publish and verify a small npm package with intentional exports, dependency policy, consumer tests, a release gate, and a recovery plan.

Take this course offline

Subscribe to my newsletter to get every free book and course in PDF and EPUB format.

Get the downloads

Course contents

  1. Package foundations

    Define the contract, metadata, exports, license, and packed artifact.

    1. ✓ Decide what the package owns
    2. ✓ Write package.json deliberately
    3. ✓ Design package exports
    4. ✓ Inspect the package tarball
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: package foundations

  2. Versions and dependencies

    Use semantic versions, ranges, lockfiles, dependency roles, and peer contracts.

    1. ✓ Use semantic versioning
    2. ✓ Read version ranges
    3. ✓ Separate dependency roles
    4. ✓ Use lockfiles with purpose
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: versions and dependencies

  3. Local package development

    Build, test, consume, and develop packages through scripts and workspaces.

    1. ✓ Design package scripts
    2. ✓ Test from a real consumer
    3. ✓ Use workspaces with clear boundaries
    4. ✓ Publish types and build output
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: local package development

  4. Publish safely

    Protect registry identity, run a release gate, publish, verify, and recover.

    1. ✓ Prepare the registry identity
    2. ✓ Run the release gate
    3. ✓ Publish and verify
    4. ✓ Recover from a bad release
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: publish safely

  5. Maintain the package

    Protect compatibility, communicate changes, update dependencies, and retire responsibly.

    1. ✓ Protect the public contract
    2. ✓ Write useful release notes
    3. ✓ Update dependencies with evidence
    4. ✓ Deprecate and retire
    5. ✓ Check your understanding: maintain the package