dist-tag removal challenge 403's when resetting latest, then gets inconsistent

I tried this a few times, always results with the same scenario when I’m on the “dist-tag removal” challenge:

$ npm dist-tag add learn-how-to-npm@1.1.0 latest
npm ERR! Darwin 14.1.0
npm ERR! argv "node" "/Users/tdd/.nvm/v0.10.36/bin/npm" "dist-tag" "add" "learn-how-to-npm@1.1.0" "latest"
npm ERR! node v0.10.36
npm ERR! npm  v2.7.6
npm ERR! code E403

npm ERR! Registry returned 403 for PUT on http://localhost:15443/-/package/learn-how-to-npm/dist-tags/latest
npm ERR! 
npm ERR! If you need help, you may report this error at:
npm ERR!     <https://github.com/npm/npm/issues>

npm ERR! Please include the following file with any support request:
npm ERR!     /Users/tdd/perso/node/learn-how-to-npm/npm-debug.log

$ npm dist-tag ls learn-how-to-npm 
latest: 1.1.0

I’ve got two versions in the registry: 1.1.0 and 1.2.0. This is regardless of another tag existing or not on these versions.

[TheWhippinpost]

As this thread directly addresses the dist-tag removal (rm) aspect of the challenge, I’ll post my workaround here (before I forget).

The problem I had was re-assigning the “latest” tag to another version before being allowed to remove another tag from the actual latest version.

Adding a tag If you’ve had problems adding a tag, see dhcodes’ solution here. (You should only have to do it once.) Then come back. I know it’s all over the show, but this should still save you a few hours searching, trust.).

We’ll assume you have version 1.0.1 published by this stage.

OK now create another version (1.0.2). Type: how-to-npm and run through the version and publish challenges again, respectively. (Hint, I replaced “1.0.1” with “1.0.2” in package.json directly and saved).

Verify

Because 1.0.2 is now the latest version, it will already be tagged “latest”, so add another tag to it (name it “dev” or “test”, whatever) by completing the Dist Tag challenge.

Type: how-to-npm Select: Dist Tag Type: npm dist-tag add @username/packagename@1.0.2 dev

Re-assign “latest” tag to another version Now point the “latest” tag to version: 1.0.1

Type: how-to-npm Select: Dist Tag (yet again) Type: npm dist-tag add @username/packagename@1.0.1 latest

Verify.

If that goes well you’ll have both versions tagged, so go to the Dist Removal challenge (how-to-npm).

Type: npm dist-tag rm @username/packagename test

Verify and (hopefully) you’re good to go.

Convoluted, I know. IMO I think this challenge should be removed until fixed. Anyway, I am tired so I hope this is in the right order.

[omijh]

@TheWhippinpost Thank you although what i did was just

npm dist-tag rm beta npm dist-tag add @1.0.0 latest

and it solved my problem all i had to do was change the latest version to my previous original version