How Yarn PnP solved the node_modules problem

Let's see how Yarn Plug'n'Play (PnP) solved the node_modules problem.
The problem that we are talking about is the fact that node_modules result in too many files, they involve disk heavy operations, they are hard to de-duplicate for package managers (even with hoisting), and that with the Node resolution algorithm there is no concept of packages.
This is where Yarn Plug'n'Play comes to the rescue. It is a new install mode introduced in Yarn Berry (i.e., modern versions of Yarn starting from Yarn v2).
We will also see the benefits and caveats that come with Yarn PnP.
00:00 Installs with node_modules
02:26 The node_modules problem
06:31 Yarn PnP to the rescue
10:54 Yarn PnP benefits
15:52 Yarn PnP caveats
20:06 Conclusion

[@supernova82]

Thank you! Clear and concise. That is precisely what I was looking for.

[@yancoltro]

greate explanation, i was looking for this answer and I can find it in a very didactic way in your video. thanks!

[@richardhunter132]

I don't understand how Node itself knows about the .pnp.cjs file at runtime. how is Node's algorithm of searching through node_modules folders somehow bypassed?

[@vitaly8626]

helpful video, thank you