Dear friends,
Platform Overview
Primary Use
JavaScript package publishing, dependency management, open source distribution
Account Types
Free (public packages), Pro, Teams, Enterprise (private packages and orgs)
Data Types
Published packages, package versions, access tokens, organization memberships, download statistics
Access Challenges
- Package ownership requires active account access and 2FA verification
- npm policies restrict package transfers to prevent supply chain attacks
- Access tokens cannot be recovered or viewed after creation
- Organization ownership requires admin role for succession planning
- Private packages become inaccessible without subscription renewal
- Unpublishing packages is restricted to prevent ecosystem disruption
- Two-factor authentication blocks all unauthorized access attempts
- Scoped package transfers require organization admin privileges
- npm Enterprise requires separate administrative succession planning
Inheritance Guidance
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Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone inherit my npm packages after I die?
npm does not automatically transfer package ownership. Without credentials, packages cannot be updated or transferred. Add trusted collaborators as package maintainers before death. Document all packages and transfer critical ones to organization accounts with multiple owners. Prepare deprecation plans for packages you cannot transfer.
What happens to packages that depend on my npm packages?
Published package versions remain permanently available in the npm registry. Existing dependents continue working. However, packages cannot receive updates, security patches, or bug fixes without maintainer access. Add successor maintainers or deprecate packages with recommendations for maintained alternatives.
How do I transfer npm organization ownership?
Organization ownership requires admin role access. Add multiple owners to prevent single points of failure. Document organization scopes, billing details, and team access. Without succession planning, organizations become inaccessible and private packages expire. Transfer ownership to trusted individuals or corporate entities.
What happens to npm access tokens and publishing credentials?
Access tokens expire with account access and cannot be recovered. Automated publishing workflows break without token renewal. Document CI/CD integration points and token rotation procedures. Use organization-level tokens with multiple administrators for critical publishing pipelines.