Overview:
According to npm guidelines, test-related dependencies belong in the devDependencies section so that users don’t download unnecessary modules. In light of this, is it advisable to exclude the test directory using a .npmignore file to keep the package lean?
Based on personal experience, it is generally a good practice to exclude your test directories when publishing to npm. I faced a situation where unnecessary test files were creating clutter in the package and increasing its size, which in turn led to longer installation times for users. After refactoring the package to ignore tests in the .npmignore file, not only did the package become leaner, but maintenance also became easier. This approach keeps production dependencies minimal and avoids any confusion or potential issues related to test artifacts in the distributed package.
My experience indicates that excluding test folders using a .npmignore file is an effective practice for keeping your published package streamlined and efficient. When I adopted this method, it simplified package maintenance by reducing unnecessary files and potential confusion about the package’s purpose. In addition, it lowered the package size, which in turn resulted in faster installations for end users. Although some developers opt to include tests for easier debugging and validation purposes, in a production environment, it is generally more beneficial to focus solely on the essential components.
i think ignoring test folders is smart - keeps your package clean and slim. tests remain in dev depedencies so nothing’s lost for development, but prod builds stay uncluttered.