Use npm install When
You are developing locally and adding or changing dependencies.
You expect package-lock updates as part of your workflow.
Compare
npm install vs npm ci
Which command to use for local dependency changes and which one is better for consistent installs.
`npm install` is flexible and updates lockfiles when needed. `npm ci` is stricter and optimized for clean, reproducible installs from an existing lockfile.
Use npm ci When
You are in CI or another environment where reproducibility matters most.
You want a fast clean install based exactly on package-lock.json.
Rule of Thumb
Install for development. CI for repeatable automation.
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