Start script missing error when running npm start

Question

I'm receiving this error when trying to debug my node application using the npm start command.

Error:

 npm ERR. Windows_NT 6.3:9600 npm ERR. argv "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\\\node.exe" "C.\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node_modules\\npm\\bin\\npm-cli.js" "start" npm ERR. node v0.12:7 npm ERR, npm v2:11:3 npm ERR. missing script: start npm ERR: npm ERR. If you need help. you may report this error at: npm ERR! <https://github.com/npm/npm/issues>npm ERR! Please include the following file with any support request: npm ERR! C:\Users\andrmoll.NORTHAMERICA\Documents\GitHub\SVIChallenge\npm-debug.log

From the debug file:

 Error: missing script: start at run (C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\lib\run-script.js:142:19) at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\lib\run-script.js:58:5 at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\read-package-json\read-json.js:345:5 at checkBinReferences_ (C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\read-package-json\read-json.js:309:45) at final (C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\read-package-json\read-json.js:343:3) at then (C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\read-package-json\read-json.js:113:5) at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\read-package-json\read-json.js:300:12 at evalmachine.<anonymous>:334:14 at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\graceful-fs\graceful-fs.js:102:5 at FSReqWrap.oncomplete (evalmachine.<anonymous>:95:15)

Answer 1

It looks like you might not have defined a start script in your package.json file or your project does not contain a server.js file.

If there is a server.js file in the root of your package, then npm will default the start command to node server.js.

https://docs.npmjs.com/misc/scripts#default-values

You could either change the name of your application script to server.js or add the following to your package.json

"scripts": {
    "start": "node your-script.js"
}

Or ... you could just run node your-script.js directly

Answer 2

I had this issue while installing react-js for the first time : These line helped me solve the issue:

npm rm -g create-react-app
npm install -g create-react-app
npx create-react-app my-app

source: https://stackoverflow.com/a/59260128/11652661

Answer 3

This error also happens if you added a second "scripts" key in the package.json file. If you just leave one "scripts" key in the package.json the error disappears.

Answer 4

add this inside package.json file before closing the "}"

,"scripts": {
  "start": "react-scripts start",
  "build": "react-scripts build",
  "test": "react-scripts test",
  "eject": "react-scripts eject"
}

Answer 5

I just stumbled upon this issue. I reinstalled NPM, created a new React app (so basically a clean install) and still no luck. Finally figured it out:

My terminal was NOT in the correct location.

I had to changedirectory one level deeper into my app. So my terminal was in my ' projects ' folder instead of my ' my-app ' folder

Path: '/Documents/projects/my-app'

Answer 6

You might have an old (global) installation of npm which causes the issue. As of 12/19, npm does not support global installations.

First, uninstall the package using:
npm uninstall -g create-react-app

Some osx/Linux users may need to also remove the old npm using:
rm -rf /usr/local/bin/create-react-app

This is now the only supported method for generating a project:
npx create-react-app my-app

Finally you can run:
npm start

Answer 7

Please use the below line of code in script object which is there in package.json

"scripts": {
    "start": "webpack-dev-server --hot"
}

For me it worked perfectly fine.

Answer 8

Hope it might help someone. This error also happens if you didn't open your project from the root of the project. Make sure to cd into the folder before opening it inside VS code.

Answer 9

Try this method it will work for you

Answer 10

Try with these steps :

npm rm -g create-react-app

npm install -g create-react-app

npx create-react-app my-app

Definitely this works!!

Answer 11

I had a similar issue while installing react-js for the first time : These line helped me solve the issue:

npm uninstall -g create-react-app
npm rm -g create-react-app
npm install -g create-react-app
npx create-react-app my-app

this worked in my case.

Answer 12

If you are using babelify and watchify, go to:

package.json

and add this in "scripts":

"scripts": {
    "start": "watchify the-path-to-your-source-jsx-file -v -t [ babelify --presets [ react ] ] -o the-path-to-your-output-js-file"
}

An example would be:

"scripts": {
    "start": "watchify src/main.jsx -v -t [ babelify --presets [ react ] ] -o public/js/main.js"
}

Thanks to Mark Price from DevSlopes

Answer 13

check package.json file having "scripts" property is there or not. if not update script property like this

{
  "name": "csvjson",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "upload csv to json and insert it into MongoDB for a single colletion",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node csvjson.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "csvjson": "^4.3.4",
    "fs": "^0.0.1-security",
    "mongodb": "^2.2.31"
  },
  "devDependencies": {},
  "repository": {
    "type": "git",
    "url": "git+https://github.com/giturl.git"
  },
  "keywords": [
    "csv",
    "json",
    "mongodb",
    "nodejs",
    "collection",
    "import",
    "export"
  ],
  "author": "karthikeyan.a",
  "license": "ISC",
  "bugs": {
    "url": "https://github.com/homepage/issues"
  },
  "homepage": "https://github.com/homepage#readme"
}

Answer 14

In my case, if it's a react project, you can try to upgrade npm, and then upgrade react-cli

npm -g install npm@version
npm install -g create-react-app

Answer 15

Installing create-react-app globally is now discouraged. Instead uninstall globally installed create-react-app package by doing: npm uninstall -g create-react-app (you may have to manually delete package folder if this command didn't work for you. Some users have reported they had to delete folders manually)

Then you can run npx create-react-app my-app to create react app again.

ref: https://github.com/facebook/create-react-app/issues/8086

Answer 16

As per the react documentation https://create-react-app.dev/docs/getting-started/ The following commands will resolve the issue.

npx create-react-app my-app
cd my-app
npm start

Answer 17

should avoid using unstable npm version.

I observed one thing that is npm version based issue, npm version 4.6.1 is the stable one but 5.x is unstable because package.json will be configured perfectly while creating with default template if it's a stable version and so we manually don't need to add that scripts.

I got the below issue on the npm 5 so I downgraded to npm 4.6.1 then its worked for me,

---

ERROR: npm 5 is not supported yet

---

It looks like you're using npm 5 which was recently released.

Create React Native App doesn't work with npm 5 yet, unfortunately. We recommend using npm 4 or yarn until some bugs are resolved.

You can follow the known issues with npm 5 at: https://github.com/npm/npm/issues/16991

---

Devas-MacBook-Air:SampleTestApp deva$ npm start npm ERR! missing script: start

Answer 18

Another possible reason: you're using npm when your project is initialized in yarn. (I did this myself). So it would be yarn start instead of npm start .

Answer 19

I was having the same issues. I was trying to start it at the VS code terminal. So I start the development environment in my computer terminal (not inside the VS Code). It worked. Make sure that you are inside the file in the terminal before you start it

Answer 20

Make sure the PORTS ARE ON

var app = express();
app.set('port', (process.env.PORT || 5000));

BLAL BLA BLA AND AT THE END YOU HAVE THIS

app.listen(app.get('port'), function() {
    console.log("Node app is running at localhost:" + app.get('port'))
});

Still a newbee in node js but this caused more of this.

Answer 21

如果您同时运行两个应用程序，请关闭其中一个，然后生成并运行该应用程序

Answer 22

use this :

"scripts": {
  "test": "make test",
  "start": "webpack-dev-server --hot"
  }

Answer 23

In my case following code working fine..

"scripts": {
"test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
"start": "parcel index.html",
"build": "parcel build --public-url . index.html"  }

Answer 24

Take a look at your client/package.json . You have to have these scripts

"scripts": {
  "start": "react-scripts start",
  "build": "react-scripts build",
  "test": "react-scripts test --env=jsdom",
  "eject": "react-scripts eject"
}

Answer 25

I am getting this error with a ruby on rails app, I don't know what script name to put in my package.json file. I tried:

"scripts": {
      "start": "webpack-dev-server --hot"
  }

But I got this error:

remote: App container failed to start!!
=====> taaalk web container output:
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_01_54_386Z-debug.log
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_01_55_590Z-debug.log
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_01_56_835Z-debug.log
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_01_58_249Z-debug.log
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_02_00_063Z-debug.log
       > taaalk_edge@0.1.0 start
       > webpack-dev-server --hot
       /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require': cannot load such file -- bundler/setup (LoadError)
        from /usr/lib/ruby/2.5.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:59:in `require'
        from /app/bin/webpack-dev-server:10:in `<main>'
       npm ERR! code 1
       npm ERR! path /app
       npm ERR! command failed
       npm ERR! command sh -c webpack-dev-server --hot
       npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
       npm ERR!     /app/.npm/_logs/2020-11-27T01_02_02_705Z-debug.log
=====> end taaalk web container output
To taaalk.co:taaalk
 ! [remote rejected] master -> master (pre-receive hook declined)
error: failed to push some refs to 'dokku@taaalk.co:taaalk'

I am not very familiar with these sorts of problems so am a bit lost!

Answer 26

I got this error because I wasn't in the right directory in terminal.

App with the scripts was in folder B. Folder B was in folder A. I open folder A in vscode and enter "npm run start" into the built in terminal and got the error. try "cd folder B", opening folder B in the ide, or organizing your stuff better than I did in the first place.

Answer 27

I got that same error when I tried run "npm run start"

And my project should starts up with "npm run serve"

If you copy a github project you can look over project setup there like that one:

So always make sure you run it with the right command, in my case was

npm run serve

Answer 28

Check it package.json file out and find your script name in this file

Answer 29

I had this error after create a react project in vscode . After closing and reopening the vscode and create a new terminal in cmd mode in vscode, the problem resolved.

Answer 30

There are more answers regarding to scripts. Here is my 2 cents. If you having the same issue just after creating the react app or just started the work in the day , in most case this is what happened. You may not got inside of the created project.

Suppose you created a react app as my-app. then you have to go inside of the app before you run nmp start command.

1. cd my-app

2. npm start

It will work fine.

Answer 31

Check if you have nodemon installed, if you do, run the script using nodemon the start script in your package.json Example nodemon start

Answer 32

npm rm -g create-react-app
npm install -g create-react-app
npx create-react-app my-app

:important: Make sure you need to chnage the directory to my-app and then hit "npm start"

As you can see in the image, there was an error and it was fixed after chnaging the directory.

Answer 33

For my example I created React project in "First" folder and I run project in this folder so I saw same error. You should enter in project then you should run (for my example "react-movies"). You can esaily realize if you look my powershell screen.

Answer 34

"scripts": {
  "prestart": "npm install",
  "start": "http-server -a localhost -p 8000 -c-1"
}

add this code snippet in your package.json , depending on your own configuration.

Answer 35

I have the same issue. I try to write a code in package.json file as below

    "scripts": {
    "start": "<your-script-file>.js",
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
  },

Answer 36

I have solved mine. Its not an NPM Error its related to proxy behavior.

If you are behind proxy,

MAC
 1.  Goto System Preference (gears icon on your mac)
 2.  click your network
 3.  click advanced
 4.  click proxy
 5.  check excludes simple hostnames
 6.  add this line below (Bypass Proxy Settings...) "localhost, localhost:8080"

refer to the npm echo: "Project is running at http://localhost:8080/"

Windows
 1.  Goto your browser Proxy Settings (google it)
 2.  check Bypass local address
 3.  add this line below "localhost, localhost:8080"