How to fix npm ERR! code ECANCELLED npm ERR! npm init cancelled in npm | DevErrors

How to fix "npm ERR! code ECANCELLED npm ERR! npm init cancelled"

1Use non-interactive mode

Skip all prompts with -y flag:

bash

npm init -y
# or
npm init --yes

This creates package.json with defaults:
- name: current directory name
- version: 1.0.0
- main: index.js

2Complete the interactive prompts

If you want to fill in details, answer all prompts:

bash

npm init

# Answer each prompt:
package name: (my-project) 
version: (1.0.0) 
description: My awesome project
entry point: (index.js) 
test command: 
git repository: 
keywords: 
author: Your Name
license: (ISC) MIT
Is this ok? (yes) yes

Don't press Ctrl+C until you see "Is this ok?"

3Configure npm defaults

Set defaults so npm init -y uses your info:

bash

npm config set init-author-name "Your Name"
npm config set init-author-email "[email protected]"
npm config set init-license "MIT"
npm config set init-version "0.1.0"

Now npm init -y uses these values.

4Fix frozen prompts

If prompts freeze (known Node.js 8.1.0 bug):

bash

# Check Node version
node --version

# If 8.1.0, upgrade:
nvm install 20
nvm use 20

# Then retry
npm init

5Clean up partial files

If cancellation left partial files:

bash

# Check if package.json exists
ls package.json

# If incomplete, remove and retry
rm package.json
npm init -y

Advanced notes

Platform-specific issues:

Git Bash on Windows: Known to freeze after first input. Use npm init -y as workaround.

Windows PowerShell: May need double Ctrl+C to fully exit.

For scripts/CI, always use non-interactive mode:

bash

npm init -y

Or with specific values:

bash

npm init -y --scope=@myorg
npm pkg set name="my-package" version="2.0.0"

How to fix npm ERR! code ECANCELLED npm ERR! npm init cancelled in npm

What this error means

Typical symptoms

Common causes

How to fix "npm ERR! code ECANCELLED npm ERR! npm init cancelled"

Advanced notes

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