---
id: nrwl/nx-ai-agents-config/link-workspace-packages
version: "5b2f9062"
license: MIT
install: manual
updated: 2026-07-23
---

# link-workspace-packages — This skill enables AI assistants to automatically establish and configure dependency links between packages within an Nx monorepo workspace. It streamlines the process of wiring up package relationships, helping developers maintain clean dependency graphs and avoid manual configuration errors.

Publisher: nrwl · Stars: 27 · Updated: 2026-07-23

Install (manual): `git clone https://github.com/nrwl/nx-ai-agents-config`

## SKILL.md

# Link Workspace Packages

Add dependencies between packages in a monorepo. All package managers support workspaces but with different syntax.

## Detect Package Manager

Check whether there's a `packageManager` field in the root-level `package.json`.

Alternatively check lockfile in repo root:

- `pnpm-lock.yaml` → pnpm
- `yarn.lock` → yarn
- `bun.lock` / `bun.lockb` → bun
- `package-lock.json` → npm

## Workflow

1. Identify consumer package (the one importing)
2. Identify provider package(s) (being imported)
3. Add dependency using package manager's workspace syntax
4. Verify symlinks created in consumer's `node_modules/`

---

## pnpm

Uses `workspace:` protocol - symlinks only created when explicitly declared.

```bash
# From consumer directory
pnpm add @org/ui --workspace

# Or with --filter from anywhere
pnpm add @org/ui --filter @org/app --workspace
```

Result in `package.json`:

```json
{ "dependencies": { "@org/ui": "workspace:*" } }
```

---

## yarn (v2+/berry)

Also uses `workspace:` protocol.

```bash
yarn workspace @org/app add @org/ui
```

Result in `package.json`:

```json
{ "dependencies": { "@org/ui": "workspace:^" } }
```

---

## npm

No `workspace:` protocol. npm auto-symlinks workspace packages.

```bash
npm install @org/ui --workspace @org/app
```

Result in `package.json`:

```json
{ "dependencies": { "@org/ui": "*" } }
```

npm resolves to local workspace automatically during install.

---

## bun

Supports `workspace:` protocol (pnpm-compatible).

```bash
cd packages/app && bun add @org/ui
```

Result in `package.json`:

```json
{ "dependencies": { "@org/ui": "workspace:*" } }
```

---

## Examples

**Example 1: pnpm - link ui lib to app**

```bash
pnpm add @org/ui --filter @org/app --workspace
```

**Example 2: npm - link multiple packages**

```bash
npm install @org/data-access @org/ui --workspace @org/dashboard
```

**Example 3: Debug "Cannot find module"**

1. Check if dependency is declared in consumer's `package.json`
2. If not, add it using appropriate command above
3. Run install (`pnpm install`, `npm install`, etc.)

## Notes

- Symlinks appear in `<consumer>/node_modules/@org/<package>`
- **Hoisting differs by manager:**
  - npm/bun: hoist shared deps to root `node_modules`
  - pnpm: no hoisting (strict isolation, prevents phantom deps)
  - yarn berry: uses Plug'n'Play by default (no `node_modules`)
- Root `package.json` should have `"private": true` to prevent accidental publish


[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/nrwl/nx-ai-agents-config/link-workspace-packages) · [View on GitHub](https://github.com/nrwl/nx-ai-agents-config)