# What is the --save option for npm install?

The `--save` option for `npm install` was once used to add the installed module into the `dependencies` section of your `package.json` file automatically. 

However, from npm version 5.0.0 this is no longer needed. Installed modules are automatically added as a dependency and will therefore be installed whenever someone runs `npm install` command in the project directory.

There are also complementary options:

- `--save-dev` or `-D`: the package will be added to your `devDependencies`
- `--save-optional`: the package will be added to your optional dependencies

In conclusion, as of npm 5.0.0, the `--save` flag has no meaning.