npm ls: Inspect the Dependency Tree

npm ls shows what is actually installed and why.

When a build pulls the wrong version, npm ls reveals the resolved tree so you can find which dependency requested it.

Common flags

• --depth=0 - top-level only
• --all - full tree
• <pkg> - show paths to one package
• --json - structured output

Example in CI

Find every path that pulls in a specific package.

npm ls left-pad --all

In CI

npm ls exits non-zero if the tree is invalid (missing/extraneous deps), which makes it a cheap integrity check after install.

Key takeaways

• Use npm ls <pkg> to trace a version.
• --depth=0 for a quick top-level view.
• Non-zero exit flags a broken tree.

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