[BUG] "install -g" as user warns to late

[buhtz]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

This issue exists in the latest npm version

• I am using the latest npm

Current Behavior

Executing $ npm install -g <package> warns about that there are not enough permissions. Make sense because I am user not root.

The problem is that this warnings comes to late. There is a lot of downloading going on wasting time and resources (and carbon dioxid) before this warning comes up. I assuming npm can realize a bit more early that the requested job (install -g) is not possible in the current (user) environment.

Expected Behavior

Warn much earlier before wasting to much ressources.

Steps To Reproduce

See above.

Environment

• npm: 9.2.0
• Node.js: Don't know this component.
• OS Name: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
• System Model Name: What do you mean?
• npm config: Debian default, don't know details

; "builtin" config from /usr/share/nodejs/npm/npmrc

globalignorefile = "/etc/npmignore"
prefix = "/usr/local"

; node bin location = /usr/bin/node
; node version = v18.19.0
; npm local prefix = /home/user
; npm version = 9.2.0
; cwd = /home/user
; HOME = /home/user
; Run `npm config ls -l` to show all defaults.

[wraithgar]

This is more of a feature request than a bug report. General feedback is at https://github.com/npm/feedback/discussions.

[buhtz]

Yes it is a feature request improving usability and sustainability of npm. Why closing?