npm-docs

Open a specific package's documentation page

$ npm docs [package]

$ npm docs [package1 package2 ...]

npm docs [<package-name>]

<package-name>
    The name of the `npm` package whose documentation you wish to open. If omitted, npm docs attempts to open the documentation for the package in the current working directory, identified by its `package.json` file.

npm docs (often mistakenly referred to as `npm-docs` but typically invoked as an `npm` subcommand) is a crucial utility within the `npm` (Node Package Manager) ecosystem. It's designed to provide quick and convenient access to the official documentation of installed or registry packages. When invoked, this command intelligently determines the appropriate documentation URL for the specified package and then attempts to open it in your system's default web browser.

If no package name is provided, npm docs will try to open the documentation for the current project (based on the `package.json` in the current directory). This utility is invaluable for developers seeking to understand how to use a library, explore its API, or troubleshoot issues without manually searching through browser tabs or external websites. It streamlines the development workflow by integrating documentation access directly into the command-line interface.

Internet Connection Required:
npm docs requires an active internet connection to retrieve documentation URLs from the `npm` registry and to access the documentation hosted online.

Web Browser Configuration:
A default web browser must be properly configured on your system for npm docs to function. If no browser is set or available, the command may fail or display an error message.

Documentation Availability:
Not all packages in the `npm` registry may have explicitly defined documentation URLs. In such cases, npm docs might open a generic search page or the package's main repository URL if available.

Current Project Context:
When invoked without a package name, the command relies on a valid `package.json` file in the current working directory to identify the project and its documentation. If this file is missing or malformed, the command may not behave as expected.

You can configure which browser npm docs uses by setting the `browser` configuration property.
To view the current browser setting: npm config get browser
To set a specific browser (e.g., Firefox): npm config set browser firefox
This setting affects all `npm` commands that interact with a web browser.

The npm docs command has been an integral part of the `npm` CLI since its early versions, evolving alongside the Node.js ecosystem. Its inclusion reflects the core philosophy of providing developers with seamless tools for package management, which inherently includes easy access to learning and reference materials. While the fundamental function of opening documentation remains consistent, its integration and robustness have improved with `npm` updates, ensuring a reliable pathway to critical information for millions of packages.

npm(1), npm help(1), npm view(1), npm install(1)