[BUG] `bundleDependencies: true` changed back into an array after `npm install --save`

[dominykas]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• [X] I have searched the existing issues

This issue exists in the latest npm version

• [X] I am using the latest npm

Current Behavior

bundleDependencies gets normalized into an array when package.json is saved.

Expected Behavior

bundleDependencies remains true.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Have bundleDependencies: true in your package.json
2. npm install a new dependency

Environment

• npm: 9.6.5
• Node.js: 18.14.2
• OS Name: macOS
• System Model Name:
• npm config:

; copy and paste output from `npm config ls` here

[andogq]

We have also been experiencing issues that are caused by the bundleDependencies key being converted into an array. This causes newly installed packages to not be bundled with the rest of the source when packaging.

We are using the latest versions of node and npm, and can confirm that this remains a problem. Would love to see it fixed!