NPM Sucks

installer.js

var npm = require('npm')
  , pack = require('./package.json')
  , modules = {}
  ;

if(pack.dependencies) build(pack.dependencies);
if(pack.optionalDependencies) build(pack.optionalDependencies);
if(pack.devDependencies) build(pack.devDependencies);

function build(dependancies) {
  for (var i in dependancies) {
    modules[i] = {name: i, success: false, retries: 0};
  }
}

npm.load({}, function (er) {
  console.log('modules', modules);
  install(function(err, data){
    console.log('finished', err, data);
  })
  npm.on("log", console.log)
});

function install(cb) {
  for(var i in modules) {
    var module = modules[i];
    if(module.success) continue;
    if(module.retries == 4)
      return cb(new Error('failed to install ' + module.name));
    console.log('')
    console.log('starting install for: ' + module.name + '  -- ' + module.retries + ' retries');
    console.log('')
    npm.commands.install([module.name], function (err, data) {
      module.retries++;
      module.success = !err;
      install(cb);
      // command succeeded, and data might have some info
    });
    return;
  }
  cb();
}