Karen Li

npm powers the JavaScript ecosystem, but many developers still treat it as a black box.This talk aims to demystify core npm workflows and give developers with various levels of experience a clearer mental model of how npm works behind the scenes. With the rise of AI-assisted coding, many engineers are shipping code that depends on npm without deeply understanding it. Meanwhile, seasoned developers often struggle with subtleties around publishing, dependency resolution, and security.This talk clarifies the install and publish lifecycle, surfaces modern best practices, and offers decision-making tools that help developers avoid surprises and regain control over their tooling.

Thinking is an essential part of being an engineer. How can you make your thinking visible to others so that you can collaborate better? We will discuss strategies to make your thinking visible and cover how to implement them effectively.