CPANpm

CPANpm is a command-line tool and library designed to manage Perl modules from the Comprehensive Perl Archive Network (CPAN) using a package-manager style workflow. It aims to provide reproducible builds, automated dependency resolution, and streamlined project isolation by combining CPAN metadata with modern packaging concepts.

Design and scope

CPANpm seeks to offer a unified interface for installing, upgrading, and removing CPAN distributions, with features that support per-project configuration and isolation. It relies on CPAN metadata such as META.yml and META.json, and it integrates with existing Perl environment managers to allow multiple Perl versions and environments to coexist on a single system. The project emphasizes reproducibility through manifest and lock mechanisms that capture required module versions for a given project.

Features

Key features include dependency resolution with version constraints, explicit version pinning, and per-project manifests along with a lock file to ensure consistent deployments. CPANpm supports installation into sandboxes or user-local environments via tools like local::lib, perlbrew, or plenv. It provides commands for install, upgrade, and removal, and offers options to install from a CPAN mirror or offline cache. Compatibility with CPAN metadata and existing CPAN clients is emphasized to minimize disruption for users already relying on CPAN.pm or cpanminus.

Relationship to other tools

CPANpm is not an official CPAN client but a higher-level management interface intended to complement or replace ad hoc CPAN workflows in some scenarios. It is designed to work alongside existing tools such as CPAN.pm and cpanminus, delegating actual module installation to CPAN infrastructure while offering a unified, reproducible management layer.

Status

As a concept or in early development, CPANpm may be experimental and subject to change. Real-world adoption would depend on community support, documentation, and compatibility with CPAN’s evolving ecosystem.