Error: react-scripts not recognized after executing npm start

Other Questions NPM
1

I copied a React project to my computer and executed the following commands:

npm install -g create-react-app
npm install --save react react-dom

Subsequently, I ran:

npm start

However, I encountered the error mentioned above. It functions correctly on my other machine where I uploaded it to GitHub, but fails to work on any system after cloning, regardless of whether it’s Windows or macOS.

2

It seems like react-scripts isn't installed in your project. Try running:

npm install

This will install all dependencies from your package.json. If it doesn't help, try:

npm install react-scripts

Ensure your project folder has a package.json with react-scripts listed under dependencies.

3

If you are still facing issues after following Bob_Clever's suggestion, it's possible there's a clash with the global installations or a misconfigured package.json file. Here are some additional steps you can consider:

  1. Check your PATH Variable:

    Ensure that your npm and node paths are correctly set in your system's environment variables. This might require restarting your terminal or even your system.

  2. Environment-Specific Installation:

    Since the project works on another machine, compare the versions of Node.js and npm on both systems using:

    node -v
npm -v

    Make sure they match, or align them if possible, as version discrepancies can sometimes cause dependency resolution issues.

  3. Recreate the Node Modules and Lock Files:

    If you haven't already, try deleting the node_modules folder and package-lock.json file, then reinstall dependencies:

    
    rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json // On macOS/Linux
    del node_modules package-lock.json // On Windows
    npm install
    
    <p>This ensures a clean dependency installation.</p>
  4. Verify react-scripts Version:

    Sometimes, specific version issues can arise. You can explicitly install a compatible version:

    npm install react-scripts@latest
  5. Check package.json Integrity:

    If your issue persists, verify that your package.json file is intact and not corrupted in any way. You can also compare it with the original working machine’s file for any discrepancies.

  6. Use NPM Clean:

    Run:

    npm ci

    This command is useful for installing dependencies from a clean slate by reading directly from the package-lock.json, ensuring consistency between environments.

Following these steps should help you diagnose and fix the "react-scripts not recognized" error you're experiencing. Each step targets a potential cause to ensure a thorough troubleshooting process. Let me know if any of these resolve your issue or if you further need clarification!

4

Hi Alex, the error you're encountering often arises due to missing dependencies or setup discrepancies. Here's a streamlined approach to resolve the react-scripts not recognized problem efficiently:

Steps to Fix the Issue:

  1. Ensure React-Scripts is Installed:

    Simply run:

    npm install react-scripts

    This often resolves missing dependencies issues directly related to react-scripts.

  2. Reinstall Dependencies:

    Sometimes, a clean slate helps, particularly when dealing with cross-system issues:

    rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json // On macOS/Linux
del node_modules package-lock.json // On Windows
npm install

    This ensures a fresh and consistent build across different environments.

  3. Verify Environment Consistency:

    Make sure you're running the same versions of Node.js and npm as your working machine:

    node -v
npm -v

    Matching these versions minimizes compatibility issues.

  4. Check your package.json:

    Ensure react-scripts is listed under dependencies. Cross-check it with your working setup for any version mismatches or missing entries.

By systematically following these steps, you should be able to pinpoint and resolve the root cause of your issue. Let me know if this helps!

5

This error usually means react-scripts isn't installed. Try this:

npm install react-scripts

If that doesn't fix it, follow these steps:

  1. Clean Install:
    2. rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install
  2. Verify Node and npm Versions:
    3. node -v
npm -v
  3. Check package.json:

    Ensure react-scripts is listed under dependencies.

Compare with the working setup if needed, and this should solve the issue.

6

Based on the responses given, it seems that the error you're facing with react-scripts not being recognized is a common issue often related to dependency management. Let’s explore a different approach that focuses on ensuring the environment is correctly set up and streamlined troubleshooting steps:

Steps to Resolve the Issue:

  1. Verify Dependency with npx:

    Before doing any installations, try running your application using npx to avoid global installations relying too much on local dependencies:

    npx react-scripts start

    This command uses the version of react-scripts specified in your package.json, potentially bypassing local path issues.

  2. Global Path and Cache Issue:

    Ensure your npm cache isn’t corrupt or contributing to the problem:

    npm cache clean --force

    This might help if there are inconsistencies in fetching the package.

  3. Permission and Global Installations:

    Sometimes global installations require permission adjustments or are blocked by security settings. Reinstall your global packages using:

    npm install -g npm@latest

    This ensures your global npm is up-to-date and might resolve permission-related issues.

  4. Local Environment Configuration:

    If this project works on GitHub but not after cloning, try using Yarn instead of npm to make sure it’s not a tool-specific issue. First, install Yarn globally:

    npm install -g yarn

    Then, within your project directory, run:

    yarn install
yarn start

These steps should not only help you fix the immediate issue but also provide a consistent groundwork across different machines or environments. Let me know how it goes, or if you need further assistance!