Install node dependencies for Cordova plugin

Question

I'm writing a Cordova plugin, it has a node dependency for one of the hook scripts. Ideally when my plugin is installed:

$ cordova plugin add my-cordova-plugin

I would like it to run npm install if package.json has dependencies listed.

Does Cordova support this feature in some way? Have I missed something?

My current solution is another hook that runs after_plugin_install:

module.exports = function (context) {
    var shell = context.requireCordovaModule('shelljs');

    shell.cd(context.opts.plugin.dir);
    shell.exec('npm install');
};

Answer 1

I you're looking for to add npm modules to your Cordova project, you don't need a plugin, juste use a simple hook triggered before_prepare.

This hook will run all the npm install you need for each cordova prepare (also for cordova run, cordova compile, etc..).

You don't have to make a JS file for a hook, a linux shell script is enough (although it is less portable). I prefer to use juste .sh file when my only need is to do "npm install" or stuff like that.