Solving npm: command not found Error When Running Bash Scripts in Ubuntu

Discover why your bash script encounters `npm: command not found` error on Ubuntu when double-clicking, and learn effective solutions to resolve the issue.
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Troubleshooting npm: command not found in Ubuntu Bash Scripts

The Problem: Understanding the npm: command not found Error

When you double-click on your bash file, Ubuntu initiates a different environment than what you find in a terminal. In many cases, the error stems from the differences in the $PATH variable.

Key Facts:

In your terminal, the $PATH variable is correctly set, including the path to your npm executable:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, when the script is executed through a double-click, the $PATH variable is missing the npm path:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Because your script relies on npm commands, when it cannot find npm, you receive the command not found error.

Why the Difference in $PATH Variable?

The $PATH variable is set in user-specific configuration files like .bashrc. When running a script from the terminal, the environment set up by .bashrc is loaded. But when you run a script by double-clicking, a minimal shell is used, which does not load these configuration files, leading to the error.

Solutions to the npm: command not found Error

There are several workarounds to fix this issue, allowing your script to run npm commands correctly. Here are the proposed solutions:

1. Install npm Globally

Consider installing npm to a system-wide location rather than relying on a user-specific installation. This can often resolve path issues:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Modify the $PATH in Your Script

You can explicitly set the path to npm in your script by modifying the $PATH variable as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Use Full Path for npm Commands

Another way is to specify the full path to the npm command in your script like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

4. Include Your .bashrc in the Script

You can also source your .bashrc within your script, which will load the necessary environment settings:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Important Note:

If you choose to either modify the $PATH or include your .bashrc, remember that you may need to update your script every time you change your Node version using nvm.

Conclusion