I'm trying to run this simple file in an empty folder

// time.js
const moment = require('moment')

function getDay() {
  var today = moment().day()
  console.log(today);
}

getDay()

using node time.js

But I get

Error: Cannot find module 'moment'

However I have run npm install -g moment and npm install moment.

What noob error am I doing?

I'm trying to run this simple file in an empty folder

// time.js
const moment = require('moment')

function getDay() {
  var today = moment().day()
  console.log(today);
}

getDay()

using node time.js

But I get

Error: Cannot find module 'moment'

However I have run npm install -g moment and npm install moment.

What noob error am I doing?

• javascript
• node.js

Share Improve this question Follow asked Mar 5, 2017 at 23:40 softcodesoftcode 4,6781212 gold badges4444 silver badges6969 bronze badges 4

• If the folder is empty, then you forgot to add an package json and install moment inside this folder. So require can't find anything. Or is there a folder named node_modules present? – cyr_x Commented Mar 5, 2017 at 23:45
• @cyrix so you can't just run a standalone .js file in the terminal ? – softcode Commented Mar 5, 2017 at 23:52
• sure you can, but don't rely on npm packages if you didn't install them inside your project folder – cyr_x Commented Mar 5, 2017 at 23:53
• i added an example on how to quickly set up npm for a project folder. (note: it's an minimal example) – cyr_x Commented Mar 5, 2017 at 23:57

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2 Answers 2

Sorted by: Reset to default 4

Just do the following mands on your console inside your folder:

npm init // just hit enter some times or follow the process
npm install moment --save
node time.js

Note: You could skip the npm init part but I wouldn't remend it due to dependency control.

you need to make sure you have initiated the package before requiring dependencies,

to install moment

npm install moment

to initialize the package

npm init

This will create the package.json, make sure that "moment^x.x.x" is available within the dependencies

Set your time.js as the main.js in package's scripts as well,

for example

"scripts": {
    "start": "node time.js",
  },

and then to run the app

npm start