Aube
aube.sh
What it is
Aube is an open-source Node.js package manager written in Rust for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its aubr command checks dependencies before running a project script and installs those that are missing or stale. Aube reads and writes supported pnpm, npm, Yarn, and Bun lockfiles, while its content-addressable store shares package directory trees across projects and worktrees. For one-off tools, aubx uses a local binary when available or installs the tool in a throwaway project. Workspaces, filters, and catalogs can be configured through pnpm-workspace.yaml or aube-workspace.yaml, and commands can use a project-pinned Node version. Security checks consider publishing evidence, release age, and known malicious packages during version selection. Dependency lifecycle scripts need project approval or built-in trust, with explicit denials taking precedence. Optional integrity verification checks fetched registry tarballs against recorded values. Installation options include mise, Homebrew, npm, Cargo, distribution packages, and source builds. Aube also provides embedding integrations for Rust, Node-API hosts, and C ABI consumers, plus a GitHub Action. Yarn Plug'n'Play projects are not supported and require a node_modules linker.
Spec sheet
- Product
- aube is a Node.js package manager that works with supported npm, pnpm, Yarn, and Bun lockfiles and shares installed packages across projects.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Integrations
- Aube provides embedding integrations for Rust, Node-API hosts, and C ABI consumers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub Issues for bugs, GitHub Discussions for questions, and Discord for conversation.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- License
- The site identifies aube as MIT licensed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Automatic installs
- The aubr command installs missing or stale dependencies before running a project script.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Build jail limits
- The optional build jail is off by default; the maker documents native write and network restrictions on macOS and Linux, while filesystem reads remain unrestricted.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Build permissions
- Dependency lifecycle scripts require project approval or built-in trust, and explicit denies take precedence.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- CI integration
- The maker points to the jdx/aube-action GitHub Action for installing the native binary and optionally Node.js.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Compatibility limit
- Yarn Plug'n'Play projects are not supported and require a node_modules linker.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dependency build controls
- Dependency lifecycle scripts require project approval or built-in trust, and explicit denies take precedence.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Install options
- The maker documents installation through mise, Homebrew, npm, Cargo, Ubuntu PPA, Fedora COPR, and source builds.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Integrity
- With integrity verification enabled, Aube checks fetched registry tarballs against recorded integrity values and fails on mismatches.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Lockfiles
- aube reads and writes supported pnpm, npm, Yarn, and Bun lockfiles in place.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Migration caveat
- The maker says aube's isolated dependency layout and security defaults can expose assumptions in existing projects and recommends reviewing the lockfile diff and running tests before switching.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Node runtimes
- Commands can use a project-pinned Node version from devEngines.runtime, .node-version, or .nvmrc.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- One-off tools
- The aubx command uses a matching local binary when available or installs the requested tool in a throwaway project.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Platform support
- The installation page lists Homebrew for macOS or Linux and packages for supported Ubuntu and Fedora/RHEL distributions; the security page also describes Windows behavior for jailed scripts.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Run scripts
- The aubr command checks for missing or stale dependencies before running a project script.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Security checks
- The documented defaults include a 24-hour minimum release age and checks for known malicious packages during fresh resolution.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Security defaults
- Aube checks publishing evidence, release age, and known malicious packages during version selection.Read 1 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Shared storage
- Its content-addressable store and global virtual store share package files and directory trees across local projects and worktrees.Read 2 Oct 2026 · aube.sh
- Workspaces
- Aube supports workspace packages, filters, and catalogs through pnpm-workspace.yaml or aube-workspace.yaml.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Reads and writes pnpm, npm, Yarn, and Bun lockfiles.
- Shares package trees across projects and worktrees.
- Supports workspaces, filters, and catalogs.
- Lifecycle scripts require approval or built-in trust.
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Limits
- Yarn Plug'n'Play projects are not supported.
- The optional build jail is off by default.
- Its isolated dependency layout can expose project assumptions.
Who it suits
Aube suits Node.js developers who want shared dependency storage, workspace support, and security checks during version selection. It may also fit teams using its listed lockfile formats and installation options.
Verdict
Aube combines multiple lockfile formats, shared storage, workspace support, and security controls in a Rust-based package manager. Projects switching to it should review lockfile changes and run tests, especially if they rely on Yarn Plug'n'Play.
Where Specifiction places it
- JavaScript Package Managers#7 of 197.8
