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Quickstart

This guide walks you through the most common Better PM workflows. After completing it, you’ll understand how to install dependencies, add packages, and navigate your monorepo efficiently.
Make sure you’ve completed the installation and set up shell integration before continuing.

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Your First Commands

Let’s start with the basics in any project with a lockfile.

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Install Dependencies

Better PM automatically detects your package manager and runs the appropriate install command. 
pm i
This is equivalent to:
  • pnpm install if you have pnpm-lock.yaml
  • bun install if you have bun.lockb
  • npm install if you have package-lock.json
Both pm i and pm install work — use whichever you prefer.

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Add a Dependency

Add a package to your project: 
pm add lodash
Add a dev dependency with the -D flag: 
pm add -D typescript
Paste-friendly: You can paste install commands directly:
pm add "npm install -D prettier"
Better PM extracts prettier and the -D flag automatically, then uses your project’s actual package manager.

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Remove a Dependency

Remove a package: 
pm remove lodash

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Monorepo Workflows

Better PM shines in monorepo environments. Let’s explore the key features.

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List Workspace Packages

View all packages in your monorepo as a tree: 
pm pls
Example output: 
packages/
│   ├── core "@myapp/core"
│   └── utils "@myapp/utils"
apps/
    └── web "@myapp/web"
The command is pm pls (package list) to distinguish it from pm ls, which is a proxy for your package manager’s ls command (e.g., pnpm ls for listing installed dependencies).
Jump to any workspace package: 
pm cd @myapp/web
Return to the monorepo root: 
pm cd
Tab completion works for package names! Type pm cd @my and press Tab to see suggestions.

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Scoped Installs

When you’re inside a workspace package, pm i automatically installs only that package: 
cd apps/web
pm i              # Installs only @myapp/web and its dependencies
Behind the scenes, Better PM runs:
  • pnpm install --filter "@myapp/web..." (pnpm)
  • bun install --filter "@myapp/web" (bun)
  • npm install --workspace @myapp/web (npm)
To install a specific package from anywhere: 
pm i -F @myapp/web
Install multiple packages: 
pm i -F @myapp/web -F @myapp/api

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Root Install Safety

At the monorepo root, pm i shows a warning before installing everything: 
cd /path/to/monorepo
pm i
Output: 
[WARNING] You are at the monorepo root. This will install ALL packages.

Workspace packages:
packages/
│   ├── core "@myapp/core"
│   └── utils "@myapp/utils"
apps/
    └── web "@myapp/web"

Proceed with installing all packages? (y/N)
To skip the prompt (useful in CI): 
pm i --sure    # or -y

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Additional Commands

Better PM includes several proxy commands that pass through to your package manager.

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Run Scripts

Run a package.json script: 
pm run dev
pm run build
pm run test
Automatic passthrough: Unknown commands automatically run as scripts:
pm dev      # Equivalent to 'pm run dev'
pm build    # Equivalent to 'pm run build'
This was added in version 0.3.3.

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Execute Packages

Run a package with npx/pnpx/bunx: 
pm x prettier --check .    # Uses pnpx, bunx, or npx

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Update Dependencies

Update packages interactively: 
pm up -i              # Interactive update
pm up --latest        # Update to latest versions

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Check Dependency Usage

See why a package is installed (pnpm/bun only): 
pm why react

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Other Proxy Commands

These commands work exactly like their package manager equivalents:
  • pm ls — List installed dependencies (not workspace packages)
  • pm link — Link a package
  • pm unlink — Unlink a package

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Example Workflow

Here’s a complete workflow for working on a feature in a monorepo:
1

Navigate to your workspace

pm cd @myapp/web
2

Add a new dependency

pm add react-query
3

Install updated dependencies

pm i
This installs only @myapp/web and its dependencies.
4

Run the dev server

pm dev
Automatically runs the dev script from package.json.
5

Add a dev tool

pm add -D vitest
6

Go back to the root

pm cd

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Common Patterns

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Install All Packages in CI

pm i -y    # Skips the confirmation prompt

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Add the Same Dependency to Multiple Packages

cd packages/core
pm add zod

cd ../utils
pm add zod
Or from the root with filters: 
pm i -F @myapp/core -F @myapp/utils

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Clean Install a Specific Package

rm -rf node_modules
pm i -F @myapp/web

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Next Steps

You now know the core Better PM commands! Here are some resources to explore:

Commands Reference

Detailed documentation for every command

Monorepo Guide

Advanced monorepo workflows and best practices

Shell Integration

Set up shell completions and navigation

GitHub

View source code and contribute

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Getting Help

View help for any command: 
pm --help
pm i --help
pm add --help
For more assistance, open an issue on GitHub.