If fs.cpSync copied a framework but its symlinks still point into a cache, check the options used for the copy. Node.js documents dereference as false by default, so a default copy preserves links rather than copying the files they reference. To request copies of the targets, set dereference: true. The exact cause still depends on the Node.js version, the actual options, and the source and destination layout.
Why the copied framework still points to the cache
By default, fs.cpSync copies symlinks as symlinks. That means the destination can contain a link whose target is still a cache path rather than a copied file. The Node.js File system API documentation describes dereference as “dereference symlinks. Default: false.”
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This explains the result if the call omitted dereference or set it to false; the title alone does not establish what options were passed or which Node.js version ran the copy.
Copy the symlink targets instead
Set dereference: true in the options passed to fs.cpSync. If you are copying a directory tree, use recursive: true as well:
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const fs = require('node:fs');
fs.cpSync(sourcePath, destinationPath, {
recursive: true,
dereference: true,
});The paths in this example are variables in your program; replace them with the source and destination you intend to copy. The dereference option requests that Node follow symlinks when copying. recursive controls copying a directory tree; it does not enable dereferencing by itself.
Check what happened before changing the copy
- Confirm the runtime: run
node --versionin the same environment that performs the copy. Node.js addedfs.cpSyncin v16.7.0; it ceased to be experimental in v22.3.0, according to the API documentation. - Inspect the literal options: verify that the call actually passes
dereference: trueand, when copying a directory,recursive: true. Check wrappers or helper functions that may construct the options object. - Inspect the link and its target: determine whether the source link is relative or absolute, where it resolves before copying, and where that same link resolves from the destination. A preserved relative link may resolve differently when the directory layout changes; an absolute link can continue pointing to its original location.
- Check the destination contents: determine whether the destination entry is itself a symlink or a regular file or directory. This distinguishes preserving a link from copying its target.
Choose whether the destination should preserve links
| Desired result | Setting | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the symlink | dereference: false (the documented default) |
The destination retains a link rather than copying the target. |
| Copy the target through the symlink | dereference: true |
Requests that Node follow the symlink when copying. |
verbatimSymlinks is a different option. The API documents its default as false; it controls whether path resolution for symlinks is skipped. It is not a substitute for dereference: true.
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If dereference: true still leaves a link
A report in Node.js issue #59168 describes a caller on Node v22.17 seeing a destination symlink despite using { dereference: true, recursive: true }. That is a version-specific report, not proof that every v22.17 copy behaves that way or that it explains this case. The report does not establish a resolved status or affected-version range.
If you can reproduce the result with those options, record the exact Node version, source and destination layout, symlink type and resolved target, and a minimal copy example. Those details help distinguish an option or layout mismatch from a runtime-specific problem.
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Do not confuse filesystem copying with module-loader flags
Node’s --preserve-symlinks and --preserve-symlinks-main flags affect module loading and path resolution; they do not configure fs.cpSync and will not make a filesystem copy follow symlink targets. The Node.js CLI documentation also warns that loading linked native modules from multiple locations can cause them to be treated as separate modules and fail to load. Consider these flags only when diagnosing module-resolution behavior, not as a repair for copied links.
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