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node_modules/

The node_modules/ Folder in Next.js

The node_modules/ folder is where Node.js stores all the dependencies of your Next.js project. When you run npm install or yarn install, Node.js will download and install all the packages listed in your package.json file and their dependencies in the node_modules/ folder.

Here are some common types of files and folders that you might find in the node_modules/ folder:

  • Package folders: Each package installed by Node.js will have its own folder in the node_modules/ folder, with the name of the package. Inside each package folder, you will find the package's code, dependencies, and other metadata.

  • Package manifests: Each package installed by Node.js will also have a package.json file that describes the package and its dependencies. This file contains information such as the package name, version, license, author, and dependencies.

  • Binary executables: Some packages installed by Node.js may include binary executables that are used by your application. These executables may be located in the node_modules/.bin/ folder, which is added to the PATH environment variable by Node.js.

  • Symlinks: Node.js may create symlinks to the dependencies of your project in the node_modules/ folder, rather than copying the entire dependency tree. This can save disk space and make it easier to manage large projects with many dependencies.

  • Cache folders: Node.js may also create cache folders in the node_modules/ folder to store downloaded packages and metadata. These cache folders can be useful for speeding up subsequent installations of the same packages.

Overall, the node_modules/ folder is a crucial part of any Node.js or Next.js project, as it contains all the dependencies that your project relies on. It's important to keep the node_modules/ folder up to date and manage its contents carefully, to ensure that your project runs smoothly and efficiently.