title: Azure "Web apps" service: auto-install npm modules from package.json
body: <p>I deployed a node.js app in an azure "web apps" container. I added the "node_modules" folder to .gitignore and let azure install modules from package.json.</p>
  
  <p>However, most modules do not get automatically installed and i have to open the instance's command line and install them manually using "npm install".</p>
  
  <p>I am using node v0.12.0 and here is my package.json:</p>
  
  <pre><code>{
   "main": "server.js",
   "scripts": {
     "start": "node server.js"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
    "body-parser": "^1.12.4",
    "cors": "^2.6.1",
    "express": "*",
    "gulp": "^3.8.11",
    "gulp-jshint": "^1.11.0",
    "gulp-nodemon": "^2.0.3",
    "moment": "^2.10.3",
    "mongoose": "^4.0.3"
  },
  "engines": {
    "node": "0.12.0"
  }
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>How can I enable automatic installation of modules through azure web apps and not be obliged to push the "node_modules" folder with each commit?</p>