# Node Modules Fix Documentation
## Problem
The `node_modules` directories in `mcp_modules/` subdirectories were being committed to git and potentially published to npm when packages were published. This caused several issues:
1. **Repository bloat**: Large `node_modules` directories were being tracked by git
2. **Publishing issues**: npm packages were including unnecessary dependencies
3. **Storage waste**: Redundant files in version control and published packages
## Solution Implemented
### 1. Updated `.gitignore`
Enhanced the main `.gitignore` file to properly ignore `node_modules` and related files in all `mcp_modules/` subdirectories:
```gitignore
# MCP modules dependencies and build artifacts
mcp_modules/*/node_modules/
mcp_modules/*/pnpm-lock.yaml
mcp_modules/*/package-lock.json
mcp_modules/*/yarn.lock
mcp_modules/*/dist/
mcp_modules/*/build/
mcp_modules/*/.nyc_output/
mcp_modules/*/coverage/
```
### 2. Created `.npmignore` Files
Added comprehensive `.npmignore` files to all mcp_modules projects that include:
- `node_modules/` - Dependencies
- Lock files (`pnpm-lock.yaml`, `package-lock.json`, `yarn.lock`)
- Build outputs (`dist/`, `build/`, `.output/`)
- Testing artifacts (`coverage/`, `.nyc_output/`, `test-db.js`)
- Development files (ESLint configs, Mocha configs)
- Environment files (`.env`, `.env.*`)
- IDE and OS files (`.vscode/`, `.DS_Store`, etc.)
- Temporary files (`*.tmp`, `*.temp`, etc.)
### 3. Cleaned Up Existing Files
- Removed all existing `node_modules` directories from the filesystem
- Ensured no `node_modules` files are tracked by git
### 4. Created Maintenance Script
Created [`scripts/fix-npmignore.js`](../scripts/fix-npmignore.js) for future maintenance:
```bash
node scripts/fix-npmignore.js
```
This script automatically creates `.npmignore` files for any new mcp_modules that don't have them.
## Verification
The fix was verified by:
1. Installing dependencies in a test module (`mcp_modules/backlinks`)
2. Confirming that `node_modules` directory was created but ignored by git
3. Confirming that only legitimate files (like `pnpm-lock.yaml`) were tracked
4. Running all tests to ensure no functionality was broken
## Future Maintenance
### For New MCP Modules
When creating new modules in `mcp_modules/`:
1. Run the maintenance script: `node scripts/fix-npmignore.js`
2. Or manually create a `.npmignore` file using the template from any existing module
### For Existing Modules
If you notice `node_modules` being tracked in git:
1. Run: `git rm -r --cached mcp_modules/*/node_modules` (if any are tracked)
2. Run: `node scripts/fix-npmignore.js` to ensure all modules have `.npmignore`
3. Commit the changes
### Publishing Packages
When publishing any mcp_modules to npm:
1. Verify the `.npmignore` file exists and is comprehensive
2. Use `npm pack --dry-run` to preview what files will be included
3. Ensure `node_modules/` is not in the package contents
## Files Modified/Created
### Modified
- [`.gitignore`](../.gitignore) - Enhanced to ignore mcp_modules dependencies
### Created
- [`scripts/fix-npmignore.js`](../scripts/fix-npmignore.js) - Maintenance script
- 18 `.npmignore` files in various `mcp_modules/` subdirectories
- This documentation file
## Benefits
1. **Reduced repository size**: No more `node_modules` in git history
2. **Cleaner npm packages**: Published packages only include necessary files
3. **Better performance**: Faster git operations and npm installs
4. **Automated maintenance**: Script ensures consistency across all modules
5. **Future-proof**: Pattern works for any new modules added
## Testing
All existing tests continue to pass, confirming that the changes don't break any functionality while solving the `node_modules` tracking issue.