Overview

Yarn was created to address some of the performance and security issues in early versions of NPM. It introduced features like a lockfile for deterministic installs and a global cache for faster subsequent installations.

Key Features

  • Deterministic Installs: Ensures that every install results in the exact same dependency tree.
  • Parallel Installation: Installs packages simultaneously for better speed.
  • Workspaces: Built-in support for managing monorepos.
  • Plug'n'Play (PnP): An innovative way to manage dependencies without a node_modules folder.

Current Status

While NPM has since improved significantly, Yarn remains a popular choice due to its speed and advanced features.

Related Terms