ni CLI
The CLI selects a project’s package manager and forwards short install and run commands to reduce confusion in agent workflows.
- 8,318 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The delegated manager changes dependencies and runs package scripts; ni may also update workspace catalogs.
Install
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add cli/niDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The delegated manager changes dependencies and runs package scripts; ni may also update workspace catalogs.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
An agent calls `ni` in npm, pnpm or Yarn repositories, and the tool reads project settings before invoking the matching package manager. Companion commands run scripts, perform clean installs and remove packages. Dependencies still belong to the project. Workspace catalogs are named sets of shared versions, not directories. For example, ni can write `catalog:prod` into `package.json` and update the prod set in `pnpm-workspace.yaml`. Installation may therefore change shared configuration used by several packages.
Who it is for. Developers working across JavaScript projects who want agents to use the intended package manager.
Good fit when
- An agent switches between projects with different lockfiles.
- A user wants to preview the selected manager command.
- A project script should be chosen from an interactive list.
- Several packages in a pnpm workspace share versions through a named catalog in `pnpm-workspace.yaml`.
Not a fit when
- You expect an independent package-management implementation.
- The project uses an unsupported manager-detection format.
- Dependency installation scripts and commands are not authorized.
Example request
Detect this project’s package manager and first show the command ni would use to add the dependency without installing it.Limitations
ni invokes the installed package manager with its normal lifecycle scripts and user permissions. Without a recognized project file, it uses `.nirc` defaultAgent or prompts for a choice. Global installs use globalAgent regardless of the current project. Catalog mode can update shared workspace versions; before committing, inspect changes to package.json and the file defining the relevant version set.
How to disable. Stop using ni commands and invoke the project manager directly. Installing or removing ni does not revert dependency or lockfile changes.
FAQ
How do I preview the command?
Add `?`, as in `ni vite ?`.
What does `nr` do without arguments?
It opens an interactive project-script selector.
How is the manager selected?
Detection uses files such as `pnpm-lock.yaml`, `yarn.lock` and `package-lock.json`, plus `packageManager` in `package.json`. Inspect these first if the choice is wrong.
Does global installation follow the current project?
No. ni uses the separate `globalAgent` setting in `.nirc`, independently of the current repository files.
Can I run in another directory?
Yes. Use the `-C` option.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
Related
CLI toolsAPM
APM (Agent Package Manager)
A package manager for AI agent context: skills, prompts and MCP servers install with one command across supported agents
skills-npm links agent skills shipped in your dependencies in node_modules and listed in the skills field of package.json
Renovate CLI brings dependency updates across ecosystems into pull requests governed by the team’s rules and schedule.
The version manager selects runtimes from project settings so agents run tools in an agreed development environment.
The CLI locates large dependency directories for selected removal, with JSON output an agent can use to plan cleanup.
A package manager for AI agents that installs rules, skills and prompts and converts them for Cursor, Claude Code and others.
README in short
Configuration uses .nirc and environment variables. Companion commands cover running scripts, removal and deduplication.