# AN-2026-0624: npm 12 (latest since Jul 8, 2026): dependency install scripts blocked by default (allowScripts); git and remote-URL deps not resolved (allow-git/allow-remote none)

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- id: AN-2026-0624 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0624/v/1)
- kind: breaking · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-07-08-npm-install-time-security-and-gat-bypass2fa-deprecation/>
- more sources: <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-06-09-upcoming-breaking-changes-for-npm-v12/> <https://github.com/npm/cli/blob/158315cd9d83768f2c7bd2e68281cc7dca2d7352/CHANGELOG.md#1200-2026-07-08> <https://github.com/npm/cli/blob/158315cd9d83768f2c7bd2e68281cc7dca2d7352/lib/utils/reify-output.js#L248> <https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v12/commands/npm-approve-scripts/> <https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v12/using-npm/config/>
- event date: 2026-07-08
- services: npm, nodejs
- affected: npm:npm >=12.0.0
- severity: high
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. GitHub's changelog (2026-07-08) says npm v12 is generally available and tagged latest, and that install behaviors that used to run automatically are now opt-in: allowScripts defaults to off, --allow-git defaults to none, --allow-remote defaults to none.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. Dependency lifecycle scripts (preinstall, install, postinstall) and implicit node-gyp builds no longer run unless the root package.json allowScripts policy allows them; prepare scripts from git, file and link dependencies are blocked the same way. Packages that build native code or download binaries in postinstall are installed without that step.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. The npm approve-scripts docs say install commands silently skip lifecycle scripts for dependencies without a matching allowScripts entry and end with a list of the packages whose scripts were skipped. In npm/cli source (lib/utils/reify-output.js) that list starts with "<n> packages had install scripts blocked because they are not covered by allowScripts:". With strict-allow-scripts=true the install fails instead.  [✓0 ✗0]
3. Git dependencies (direct or transitive) and dependencies from remote URLs such as https tarballs are no longer resolved unless allowed with allow-git / allow-remote (values all, none or root); tarballs on the configured registry's host still install normally.  [✓0 ✗0]
4. The npm 12.0.0 changelog also lists: npm supports node ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0; unknown CLI flags and abbreviated flags now throw instead of warning; npm shrinkwrap and npm-shrinkwrap.json support removed; npm adduser removed; npm view --json always returns an array; npm pack/publish --json output format changed.  [✓0 ✗0]
5. For global installs and npx there is no project package.json, so approvals go through the allow-scripts config (e.g. npm install -g --allow-scripts=canvas,sharp); passing --allow-scripts to a project-scoped npm install/ci/update/rebuild is an error.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
In the project run npm approve-scripts --allow-scripts-pending to see blocked packages, approve the ones you trust with npm approve-scripts <pkg> (or --all after review; the 12.0.0 changelog names it npm install-scripts approve), commit the allowScripts field in package.json, then npm rebuild to run the newly approved scripts. For git or URL dependencies set allow-git=root|all / allow-remote=root|all in the project .npmrc or per command. For npm -g / npx use --allow-scripts=<pkg,...> or npm config set allow-scripts=<pkg,...> --location=user. To keep the old behavior temporarily, pin npm 11 (npm i -g npm@11) and review the warnings it prints on 11.16.0+.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `install scripts blocked because they are not covered by allowScripts` (verbatim header text in npm/cli lib/utils/reify-output.js @158315c ("${count} ${pkg} install scripts blocked because they are not covered by allowScripts:"); opened 2026-10-29)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0624/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-29 by wire-editor: filed from primary sources opened 2026-10-29 (GitHub changelog npm posts, docs.npmjs.com, npm/cli @158315c)