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Better PM

Better PM is a command-line tool that makes working with package managers easier, especially in monorepo environments. It automatically detects whether your project uses pnpm, bun, or npm, and provides intelligent defaults that prevent common mistakes.

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The Problem

Working with package managers in monorepos can be frustrating:
  • Wrong package manager: You need to remember which package manager each project uses
  • Accidental full installs: Running pnpm install at the monorepo root installs everything, which can take minutes
  • Complex filter syntax: Installing a single package requires memorizing filter flags like pnpm install --filter "@myapp/web..."
  • Navigation difficulty: Jumping between workspace packages means manually typing full paths

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The Solution

Better PM solves these problems with three core features:

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1. Package Manager Agnostic

You don’t need to remember whether your project uses pnpm, bun, or npm. Just type pm and it automatically detects the right package manager based on your lockfile. 
pm i              # Uses pnpm if pnpm-lock.yaml exists
pm add lodash     # Uses bun if bun.lockb exists
pm remove axios   # Uses npm if package-lock.json exists

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2. Scoped Installs by Default

When you run pm i from inside a workspace package, it automatically installs only that package and its dependencies — not the entire monorepo. 
cd apps/web
pm i              # Installs only @myapp/web, not everything
At the monorepo root, pm i shows a safety warning with your workspace packages listed, so you can make an informed decision.

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3. Easy Workspace Navigation

List all packages in your monorepo: 
pm pls
Jump to any workspace package instantly: 
pm cd @myapp/web    # cd into the workspace package
pm cd              # cd to monorepo root

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Who Should Use This

Monorepo Teams

Teams working with pnpm workspaces, bun workspaces, or npm workspaces will benefit from automatic scoped installs and easy navigation.

Multi-Project Developers

Developers who switch between projects using different package managers no longer need to remember which command to use.

CI/CD Pipelines

The --sure flag makes monorepo root installs explicit, preventing accidental full installs in automation scripts.

Open Source Maintainers

Contributors to your project can use pm commands without needing to know your package manager preference.

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Key Features

  • Auto-detection: Identifies pnpm, bun, or npm based on lockfiles
  • Monorepo-aware: Automatically filters installs when inside workspace packages
  • Safety warnings: Confirms before installing all packages at monorepo root
  • Paste-friendly: pm add "npm install -D something" extracts the package and flags automatically
  • Shell integration: pm cd actually changes directory with shell wrapper
  • Fast completions: Native binary provides ~60ms shell completion (Homebrew install)
  • Proxy commands: pm run, pm why, pm x, and more pass through to underlying package manager

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Next Steps

Installation

Install Better PM with Homebrew or npm

Quickstart

Get started with basic commands and workflows