Update README for cp... permission denied errors for /usr/local/lib/node_modules/npm

[Hollyw00d]

Problem

Permission errors in terminal on my Mac after installing the n npm package and running n lts.

Short Version

Can I submit a PR to merge into develop branch to updated README to explain permission problem fix that appear in terminal after installing the n npm package and running n lts?

Long Version

Issue was before in a closed issue:
#478

I experienced multiple Permission denied errors on my Mac (macOS Big Sur) like below in a number of folders like the example below after install the npm package and doing n lts in my terminal:

cp: /usr/local/include/node/openssl/ssl2.h: Permission denied

Can I submit a PR to merge into develop with instructions on how to Fix Permission Errors in a Mac? This will include running the code below in your terminal:

sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/lib/node_modules
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/bin
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/share
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/include

Configuration Details

$ n --version
v8.2.0

$ node -v
v16.14.2

$ node -p process.platform
darwin

[shadowspawn]

The README does already touch on this, but does not mention permission errors. I see my explanation in #478 has had a some likes so maybe the README should be clearer about what why it is needed.

To avoid requiring sudo for n and npm global installs, it is suggested you either install to your home directory using N_PREFIX, or take ownership of the system directories:

# make cache folder (if missing) and take ownership
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/n
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/n
# make sure the required folders exist (safe to execute even if they already exist)
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share
# take ownership of Node.js install destination folders
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share

[Hollyw00d]

@shadowspawn
Could also put /usr/local/lib/node_modules in the shell commands that are in the README? Like:

• Replace sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share with below:
  sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share /usr/local/lib/node_modules
• Replace sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share with below:
  sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin /usr/local/lib /usr/local/include /usr/local/share /usr/local/lib/node_modules /usr/local/lib/node_modules

Other than that the README looks great! Thanks for the quick change.

I'm going to try selling my teammates in my company to use the n npm package to switch Node versions rather than nvm or other solutions. It's so much easier. Thanks for your development on this!

[shadowspawn]

/usr/local/lib/node_modules is under /usr/local/lib so I think it is covered by the chown -R.

[shadowspawn]

For historical interest:

• Permission denied before running with sudo #416
• cp... permission denied errors for /usr/local/lib/node_modules/npm #478
• add permission denied info to README #562
• c858506

[Hollyw00d]

Thanks @shadowspawn . You can close this issue. I'll let you know if it persists with other people.

[USMortality]

had this issue on a fresh macbook m2 setup, installed via homebrew. The four lines fixed it. Didn't see it in the readme, so maybe still worth adding... Thx!

[shadowspawn]

I opened a PR to expand the coverage in the README: #790