npm v12 Default: Install Scripts Are Disabled
npm v12, a new release line from the npm ecosystem, disables package install scripts by default. The change alters how certain npm packages run code during installation, shifting baseline behavior for users who previously expected scripts to execute automatically.
The default setting in npm v12 prevents install scripts from running during installation unless a user explicitly allows them.
What npm install scripts do
npm install scripts are hooks that some packages use to run commands at install time. In npm v12, those scripts no longer run by default, reducing the opportunity for unintended or harmful actions during installation.
The key shift is from “scripts run automatically” to “scripts require explicit enablement.”
Why the change matters
Security and operational risk often concentrate around install-time behavior. Disabling install scripts by default aims to limit that risk and tighten control over what runs when software is installed.
By default, fewer installation-time commands run, which can reduce exposure from script-driven package behavior.
How to think about impact
For users and developers, the practical effect is that packages depending on install scripts may not behave the same without configuration changes. npm v12’s default setting changes expectations for install-time execution across environments that adopt the new release line.
Adoption may require reviewing dependencies that rely on install scripts and deciding whether to allow them.
What users should do next
The most immediate action is to evaluate whether your workflow depends on install scripts. If so, the npm v12 default means you will need to take steps to ensure required scripts run as intended, rather than relying on old default behavior.
Confirm whether your packages require install scripts and adjust configuration accordingly.
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