feat: graduate the linked install strategy from experimental to stable - #9677
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#9674) Removes the experimental designation from `install-strategy=linked` (isolated mode): drops the install-time warning and the `(experimental)` note in the config docs. `linked` is now a supported, opt-in install strategy. The default stays `hoisted`. ## Why `install-strategy=linked` (RFC-0042) has been experimental since it shipped, warning on every install. It has since been hardened extensively — the discrepancies tracked in #9608, plus ~50 earlier PRs, are resolved — and it now produces hoisted-equivalent results across `install`/`ci`/`ls`/`query`/`explain`/`audit`/`sbom`/`exec`/`run`/`link`/`uninstall`, the supply-chain controls (`allow-scripts`/`allow-remote`/`allow-git`, `--strict-allow-scripts`), and the v12 features (`npm patch`, `packageExtensions`, `.npm-extension`), with a project lockfile identical to hoisted. It has also been exercised against the [Gutenberg monorepo](WordPress/gutenberg#75814), which powers the WordPress Block Editor. The experimental warning no longer reflects its state. ## How - `@npmcli/arborist` (`reify.js`): remove the `The "linked" install strategy is EXPERIMENTAL and may contain bugs.` warning emitted on every linked install. - `@npmcli/config` (`definitions.js`): drop `(experimental)` from the `install-strategy` description for `linked`. - Regenerate the config docs snapshot to match. The `node_modules/.store/` layout remains an internal implementation detail. This does not change the default install strategy. ## References - Hardening tracked in #9608 - RFC-0042 (isolated mode): https://github.com/npm/rfcs/blob/main/accepted/0042-isolated-mode.md (cherry picked from commit 86416a6)
owlstronaut
approved these changes
Jun 26, 2026
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Backport of #9674 to
release/v11.