Using npm query for better dependency management

The npm CLI version 8.16.0 introduces a new sub-command, npm query, which allows developers to inspect and understand their Node.js project's dependencies using a CSS-based query syntax. This functionality is essential for maintaining software security, stability, and performance by enabling users to conduct license audits, inspect post-install scripts, and manage dependency groups. The command's CSS paradigm enables precise queries of the dependency tree using selectors and combinators, offering insights into project dependencies. Output from npm query is typically in JSON format, which can be processed using tools like jq for better readability or programmatically via the Arborist package for advanced analysis. This tool helps developers manage dependencies more effectively, addressing questions about missing dependencies, package interdependencies, and more, ultimately improving software quality and performance.