Angular 2.0.0 rc0 in Visual Studio 2015 - npm not working

Question

I am using the new Angular 2.0.0 rc0 release inside Visual Studio 2015 Update 2.

Previously (Angular 2 beta 17) I could create my "package.json" file, with the correct dependencies, then right-click it and select "restore packages", and it would create a "node_modules" folder, and install the correct files.

Now, I have a new "package.json" file, with the correct angular 2.0.0 rc0 dependencies inside, and when I do a "restore packages" on that, it does not create a "node_modules" folder, and instead just outputs a whole bunch of errors (mainly 404 and 304, that sort of thing).

I can do the "Angular 2 Quickstart" with my installed version of npm without a problem. I'm thinking it may be a problem with Visual Studio's internal version of npm? Maybe it's an old version or something?

If I do an "npm install" (via command line) on my project directory, it correctly creates the "node_modules" folder... but I want VS2015 to be able to do this!

Anyone have ideas?

Answer 1

From VS, go to Tools --> Projects and Solutions --> External Web Tools.

Click the 'Add' button on the top right, and add the location of your nodejs install (something like C:\Program Files\nodejs), and move this to the top of the list.

This will cause VS to use your installed nodejs version, and fix this error.