Firebase keeps getting mysteriously uninstalled in my projects

[unrealapex]

Bug description

I've noticed that after installing Firebase in a Gitpod workspace and returning to it after a few days, firebase is gone as if it was never installed, but files like the .firebaserc and serviceAccountKey.json are still there unmodified.

Steps to reproduce

1. Create a new Gitpod workspace
2. Install Firebase with npm install -g firebase-tools
3. Wait 3 days
4. Open the same Gitpod workspace and try typing firebase
5. See in terminal bash: firebase: command not found

Expected behavior

Upon opening the workspace and trying to run firebase, firebase would be installed.

Example repository

No response

Anything else?

I use Gitpod on a school administered machine so it could be possible that my school IT admins have been remotely accessing my chromebook and uninstalling it for security reasons or maybe my chromebook has a virus 👀 .

[akosyakov]

Where is it installed? Only content of /workspace folder is preserved for now. Please see #340

[unrealapex]

Good question, not exactly sure. I would assume the install location is the "default" for npm. How would I be able to find the install location?

[JanKoehnlein]

How would I be able to find the install location?

After installing, try which firebase in the terminal

[unrealapex]

Thanks, here it is:
/home/gitpod/.nvm/versions/node/v14.17.3/bin/firebase

Do you think running npm install -g --prefix ./workspace firebase-tools would do the trick?

[akosyakov]

@unrealapex You should have a custom Dockerimage and instal firebase there: https://www.gitpod.io/docs/config-docker
It is not recommended to rely on the same workspace, but start a new workspace each time which is created from Dockerfile and your github repo: https://www.gitpod.io/docs/workspaces

[unrealapex]

While that will keep Firebase installed, won't I need to login every time?

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.