In a conversation, typing [in package.json] usually means the person is referring to something that belongs inside a package.json file, the config file used by Node.js and npm projects. It is often shorthand for “this setting/value goes in package.json,” not a literal phrase with a special meaning.

What it usually means

  • A field or option in a project’s package.json.
  • A version range or dependency entry inside dependencies or devDependencies.
  • A package setting like name, scripts, type, or types.

Common examples

  • type in package.json controls whether .js files are treated as CommonJS or ESM in Node.js.
  • types in package.json points TypeScript users to declaration files.
  • Symbols like ^ or ~ in dependency versions mean version ranges, not comments.

In plain English

If someone says “put it in package.json ,” they mean “add it to that file as part of the project’s configuration.” If they literally typed [in package.json] in chat, the brackets are often just informal markup or a note showing where the code should go.

TL;DR: it usually means “inside the package.json file,” especially when talking about Node.js settings, dependencies, or scripts.