What is the role of `package-lock.json` and how can it help with npm install errors?

The `package-lock.json` file ensures consistent dependency installations across different environments. It locks down the versions of all dependencies, including transitive dependencies, which helps prevent unexpected changes during installs. If the file is missing or corrupted, `npm install` might fail. Delete `package-lock.json` and `node_modules` and run `npm install` again to regenerate a fresh lock file.