Nifty Node Search
Fuzzy-find and open files inside node_modules, jump to a package's README, and see installed versions.
Maintained. No sign-in. No telemetry. Works in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium and other editors that use Open VSX.
Why
VS Code's file search skips node_modules (and it should), but sometimes you need to read a library's source, check its types, or find which version is really installed. Nifty Node Search makes that two keystrokes.
Features


- Search node_modules (
Ctrl+Alt+N, or Cmd+Alt+N on Mac). Type part of a package name and pick it, then type part of a file name and open it. package.json, the README, entry points and type definitions are listed first.
- See what's installed. Every package shows its installed version and whether it's a direct dependency, dev dependency, peer or optional. Direct dependencies are listed first.
- One-click actions. Buttons on each package open its README or package.json, show it on npmjs.com, or reveal it in the Explorer.
- Open Package Under Cursor. Put the cursor on
import debounce from "lodash/debounce" (or a require) and jump straight to that file inside node_modules. Right-click in JavaScript and TypeScript files to find it.
- Monorepos, pnpm and Yarn. It uses the node_modules nearest to the file you're editing, plus each workspace folder, so packages in
packages/app/node_modules are found too.
Commands
| Command |
What it does |
Nifty Node Search: Search node_modules |
Pick a package, then a file in it |
Nifty Node Search: Open Package Under Cursor |
Open the package or file imported on the current line |
Tip: bind a key straight to one package with the package argument:
{ "key": "ctrl+alt+r", "command": "nifty.node-search.search", "args": { "package": "react" } }
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
What it does |
nifty.node-search.showDescriptions |
true |
Show (and search) package descriptions |
nifty.node-search.maxFiles |
5000 |
Maximum files listed for one package |
nifty.node-search.extraPaths |
[] |
Extra node_modules folders to include |
Install
- VS Code: search for "Nifty Node Search" in the Extensions view, or install from the Visual Studio Marketplace.
- Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium, Kiro, Antigravity: install from Open VSX.
Privacy
This extension collects no telemetry, needs no account and makes no network requests. It only reads files in your node_modules folders.
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