change-package-manager

name	change-package-manager
description	Switch the project's package manager between npm, bun, and pnpm. Updates all config, scripts, documentation, CI workflows, and AI instructions. Use when initializing from template or switching package managers. Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"dannysmith"}

Switch this project's package manager to $ARGUMENTS.

If $ARGUMENTS is not exactly bun, pnpm, or npm, ask the user which package manager they want.

Command Mapping Reference

Detect the current package manager from AGENTS.md or package.json scripts. Use this table for all replacements:

Context	npm	bun	pnpm
Install deps	npm install	bun install	pnpm install
Run script	npm run X	bun run X	pnpm run X
CI frozen install	npm ci	bun install --frozen-lockfile	pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
Add dep	npm install pkg	bun add pkg	pnpm add pkg
Add dev dep	npm install -D pkg	bun add -D pkg	pnpm add -D pkg
Remove dep	npm uninstall pkg	bun remove pkg	pnpm remove pkg
Audit	npm audit	bun audit	pnpm audit
Global install	npm install -g pkg	bun install -g pkg	pnpm add -g pkg
Execute binary	npx	bunx	pnpm dlx
Lock file	package-lock.json	bun.lock	pnpm-lock.yaml

Step 1: Functional Config

package.json scripts

Read package.json. Replace the current PM's run command with the target PM's in all script values. For example, npm run typecheck becomes bun run typecheck.

tauri.conf.json

Read src-tauri/tauri.conf.json. Update beforeDevCommand and beforeBuildCommand.

GitHub Actions CI

Read .github/workflows/release.yml and apply the appropriate pattern:

Target: bun

• Replace the Setup Node.js step with:

  - name: Setup Bun
    uses: oven-sh/setup-bun@v2
  

• Replace npm ci with bun install --frozen-lockfile

Target: pnpm

• Add a step before Setup Node.js:

  - name: Setup pnpm
    uses: pnpm/action-setup@v4
  

• Change cache: 'npm' to cache: 'pnpm' in the setup-node step
• Replace npm ci with pnpm install --frozen-lockfile

Target: npm

• Ensure standard actions/setup-node@v4 with cache: 'npm'
• Ensure npm ci for install step
• Remove any pnpm/bun setup steps

Step 2: Lock File

• Delete the old lock file (whichever of package-lock.json, bun.lock, pnpm-lock.yaml exists)
• Run the target PM's install command to generate the new lock file

Step 3: AI Instructions & Claude Config

Update these files, replacing PM commands contextually:

• AGENTS.md: Update rule 0 (the "Use npm only" line) to reflect the new PM. For example: 0. **Use bun only**: This project uses \bun`, NOT `npm`. Always use `bun install`, `bun run`, etc.`
• .claude/skills/init/SKILL.md: Replace PM commands in verification/next-steps sections
• .claude/skills/check/SKILL.md: Replace PM commands
• .claude/agents/cleanup-analyzer.md: Replace PM commands
• .claude/settings.local.json: Update Bash(npm ...) permission patterns to use the new PM (e.g. Bash(bun run format:*))

Step 4: Documentation

Use Grep to find all remaining references to the old PM across the codebase. Update every documentation file, making sentences read naturally — don't do blind find-replace on prose.

Key files to check:

• README.md
• docs/USING_THIS_TEMPLATE.md
• docs/CONTRIBUTING.md
• docs/SECURITY.md
• docs/tasks.md
• All files under docs/developer/
• scripts/prepare-release.js (help text)

Step 5: Verify

Run a final search for any remaining references to the old PM:

grep -rn "OLD_PM_NAME" --include="*.md" --include="*.json" --include="*.yml" --include="*.js" --include="*.ts" . | grep -v node_modules | grep -v ".lock"

Review any remaining hits — some are intentional (.gitignore entries, .cursorignore patterns listing all PM artifacts).

Important Rules

• Do NOT change .gitignore or .cursorignore — these intentionally list artifacts for all PMs
• Do NOT change references to node_modules/ — all three PMs use this directory
• Preserve natural prose in docs — make sentences read correctly, don't just swap words
• npx → bunx (bun) or pnpm dlx (pnpm)
• If the target PM is already in use, inform the user and stop

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Source: dannysmith/tauri-template — distributed by TomeVault.