npm-linked-slow-install Steps to reproduce npm install (to prime the local cache) rm -rf node_modules && time npm install --install-strategy=linked time npm install --install-strategy=linked rm -rf node_modules && time npm install time npm install Results npm install --install-strategy=linked first run: 15.98s user 7.19s system 149% cpu 15.535 total npm install --install-strategy=linked second run: 17.87s user 8.47s system 151% cpu 17.407 total npm install first run: 11.83s user 5.80s system 141% cpu 12.495 total npm install second run: 2.52s user 0.15s system 120% cpu 2.207 total