Requiring node modules locally - node.js

Question

When working with modules already registered on NPM, the process of including them is easy: run npm install <package> and then add var package = require('<package>')
However, I'm not sure of the way to "set things up" when working on my own module. I'm not ready to publish to NPM but I do want to require the module in the same way as outlined before.
Therefore, I've completed the following steps:
Created a sub-directory inside the node_moduels directory for my module
Added a package.json file (via npm init) inside this new directory
Included a dependencies section in the package.json file
Is this the correct approach to using node modules locally.
Also, when I run npm install the dependencies do not appear to be detected in my module's package.json file - I assume this is an issue with the way I've gone about things?

Answer 1

I would not suggest putting it in the node_modules directory. This folder should be excluded from your source control.
Here's a minimal end to end example.
Put this file wherever you like. I suggest a 'lib' folder within your directory structure
myModule.js
module.exports = function(callback){
return callback("hello there");
};
Then, wherever you want to use it:
app.js
var myModule = require('./lib/myModule');
myModule.sayHello(function(hello) {
console.log(hello);
});
Now, if you run node app.js your console output will be:
hello there
As your myModule grows, you can refactor this into a separate set of files, create an package.json for it, and publish it to NPM
EDIT
Based on your comment, it looks like this is what you want
Local dependency in package.json
So, based on that, along with our above example, edit your package.json as follows
{
"dependencies": {
"myModule": "file:../lib/myModule"
}
}
Then you can require as:
var myModule = require('myModule');
If / when you publish myModule to npm, you can just change your package.json
ANOTHER EDIT
As another alternative, you can specify git urls in your package.json without publishing to NPM
Use Git dependencies with npm and Node on Heroku

Answer 2

This would be as easy as doing the following:
In the root directory of your (unpublished) module execute npm link
In the root directory of your module requiring that unpublished module execute npm link UNPUBLISHED_MODULE_NAME.
voilà!