[Solved] npm ERR! could not determine executable to run – Npm

The Problem:

An individual is encountering an error when attempting to run their project using the command "npm run watch". Upon executing this command, they receive the following error message: "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run". The user has tried various solutions, such as deleting the "node_modules" folder in the project directory and running "npm install", but the error persists.

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Remove the .git/hooks Folder

Title: Remove the .git/hooks Folder

Solution:

1. Open your project directory in a terminal window.

2. Run the following command to remove the .git/hooks folder:

rm -rf .git/hooks

3. After deleting the .git/hooks folder, run the following command to install the required packages:

npm install

4. Try running npm run watch again. The error should be resolved.

Solution 3: Incorrect Command Invocation

The error "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run" can also occur when you mistakenly invoke a command with npx instead of npm. This error can occur when you are calling a command from the command line in your Dockerfile or from a script.

To resolve this issue, ensure that you are using the correct command. For example, if you want to start a project, you should use npm start instead of npx start.

Here’s a breakdown of the error message:

• "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run": This error indicates that npm is unable to identify the executable file that should be run for the specified command.

• "npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in: npm ERR! /Users/bintangtobing/.npm/_logs/2021-06-04T08_11_16_499Z-debug.log": This provides the path to the log file where you can find more detailed information about the error.

To fix this error, follow these steps:

1. Check the command you are trying to run. Ensure that you are using the correct command for the task you want to perform. For example, to start a project, use npm start instead of npx start.

2. If you are using Docker, make sure that the command you are running is compatible with the Docker environment. Some commands may not be available or may behave differently within a Docker container.

3. Review the log file at the path provided in the error message. This log file may contain additional information that can help you identify the root cause of the error.

By following these steps, you can resolve the "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run" error and successfully run the desired command.

Solution 4: Delete node_modules and run `npm install` again

To fix the error "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run", you can try the following solution:

1. Delete the node_modules folder in your project directory.
2. Run the command npm install in your project directory.

This should install the necessary dependencies for your project and resolve the error.

Explanation:

The node_modules folder contains all the dependencies required by your project. When you run the command npm install, npm fetches the dependencies from the npm registry and installs them in the node_modules folder. However, if you delete the node_modules folder, npm will not be able to find the necessary dependencies to run your project. To fix this, you need to run the command npm install again to reinstall the dependencies.

Solution 5: Check for Typos or Mistakes in the Command

In some cases, the npm error “could not determine executable to run” can be caused by simple typos or mistakes in the command you are running. Double-check that you have typed the command correctly, including the correct spelling of the command and any required arguments or options.

For example, in your case, you mentioned that you were running the command “npm run watch”, but the error message shows that you are trying to run “npx mix watch”. Make sure that you are using the correct command and that there are no typos or mistakes.