diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/private-runtime.mjs b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/private-runtime.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11805b87c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/private-runtime.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { cpSync, lstatSync, mkdirSync, symlinkSync, unlinkSync, writeFileSync } from 'node:fs';
+import { dirname, join, resolve } from 'node:path';
+
+// Keep global npm installs out of the runner's shared runtime seed.
+const runtimeLink = join(process.env.VP_HOME, 'js_runtime');
+assert(lstatSync(runtimeLink).isSymbolicLink());
+const privateRuntime = resolve('private-runtime');
+const nodePrefix = join(privateRuntime, 'node', process.versions.node);
+mkdirSync(dirname(nodePrefix), { recursive: true });
+cpSync(dirname(dirname(process.execPath)), nodePrefix, { recursive: true, verbatimSymlinks: true });
+unlinkSync(runtimeLink);
+symlinkSync(privateRuntime, runtimeLink, 'dir');
+symlinkSync(nodePrefix, 'node-prefix', 'dir');
+writeFileSync('.node-version', process.versions.node);
diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots.toml b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots.toml
index 8a5c06a549..68e2e17940 100644
--- a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots.toml
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots.toml
@@ -11,3 +11,117 @@ steps = [
   { argv = ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli"], comment = "Should be gone", continue-on-failure = true },
   { argv = ["vpt", "rm", "-rf", "custom-prefix"], comment = "Cleanup", continue-on-failure = true },
 ]
+
+[[case]]
+name = "npm_global_uninstall_dry_run"
+vp = "global"
+skip-platforms = ["windows"]
+steps = [
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Install a local package and create its Vite+ link" },
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--dry-run"], comment = "CLI dry-run must preserve the package, npm binary, link, and BinConfig" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], envs = [["npm_config_dry_run", "true"]], comment = "Environment-configured dry-run must also preserve installed state" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  ["vpt", "write-file", "dry-run.npmrc", "dry-run=true\n"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], envs = [["npm_config_userconfig", "${workspace}/dry-run.npmrc"]], comment = "User npmrc dry-run must also preserve installed state" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "A real uninstall must still clean up the package, npm binary, link, and BinConfig" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "missing"],
+]
+
+[[case]]
+name = "npm_global_uninstall_preserves_local_copy"
+vp = "global"
+skip-platforms = ["windows"]
+steps = [
+  ["vpt", "mkdir", "-p", "custom-prefix"],
+  ["vpt", "write-file", "custom-prefix/package.json", "{\"private\":true}"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "--ignore-scripts", "--no-save", "--no-package-lock", "--no-audit", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Install a local copy under the same prefix" },
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Install a separate global copy and create its Vite+ link" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--dry-run"], comment = "Dry-run must preserve the global command even when a local copy also exists" },
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Real uninstall must remove the global links without confusing the remaining local copy for the global installation" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["node", "custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/cli.js"],
+]
+
+[[case]]
+name = "npm_global_uninstall_userconfig_fallback"
+vp = "global"
+skip-platforms = ["windows"]
+# Require the seeded runtime instead of downloading one for this case.
+env = { VP_NODE_DIST_MIRROR = "http://127.0.0.1:9" }
+unset-env = ["NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX"]
+steps = [
+  ["node", "private-runtime.mjs"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "-g", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Install into a private copy of the selected Node runtime" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "config", "set", "prefix", "./other-prefix", "--location=user"], comment = "Make the normal user config point to another prefix" },
+  ["vpt", "write-file", "empty.npmrc", ""],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--userconfig=empty.npmrc", "npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--dry-run"], comment = "A config override dry-run must preserve the fallback installation" },
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "Uninstalling from an empty prefix must not remove links to the surviving fallback package" },
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "--userconfig", "empty.npmrc", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], comment = "A real uninstall using the override must clean up the fallback package's links" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "node-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "missing"],
+]
+
+[[case]]
+name = "npm_global_uninstall_prefix_shorthand"
+vp = "global"
+skip-platforms = ["windows"]
+unset-env = ["NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX"]
+steps = [
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "-g", "--prefix", "./custom-prefix", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"] },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "-C", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--dry-run"], envs = [["NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX", "${workspace}/other-prefix"]], comment = "A shorthand prefix override must still preserve links during dry-run" },
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "uninstall", "-g", "-C", "./custom-prefix", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], envs = [["NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX", "${workspace}/other-prefix"]], comment = "-C must override the environment prefix for uninstall link cleanup" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "write-file", "prefix.npmrc", "prefix=${HOME}/npm-prefix\n"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "install", "-g", "-C=./custom-prefix", "./npm-global-prefix-pkg"], envs = [["npm_config_userconfig", "${workspace}/prefix.npmrc"]], comment = "-C= must override the user npmrc prefix when creating links" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "symlink"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "file"],
+  ["npm-global-prefix-cli"],
+  { tty = false, argv = ["npm", "-C", "./custom-prefix", "uninstall", "-g", "npm-global-prefix-pkg"], envs = [["npm_config_userconfig", "${workspace}/prefix.npmrc"]], comment = "-C before the subcommand must also override the user npmrc prefix for cleanup" },
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli", "--assert", "missing"],
+  ["vpt", "stat-file", "$VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json", "--assert", "missing"],
+]
diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_dry_run.md b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_dry_run.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ade04a31ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_dry_run.md
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+# npm_global_uninstall_dry_run
+
+## `npm install -g --prefix ./custom-prefix ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Install a local package and create its Vite+ link
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+Linked 'npm-global-prefix-cli' to <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg --dry-run`
+
+CLI dry-run must preserve the package, npm binary, link, and BinConfig
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `npm_config_dry_run=true npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Environment-configured dry-run must also preserve installed state
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `vpt write-file dry-run.npmrc 'dry-run=true
+'`
+
+```
+```
+
+## `npm_config_userconfig=${workspace}/dry-run.npmrc npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+User npmrc dry-run must also preserve installed state
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+A real uninstall must still clean up the package, npm binary, link, and BinConfig
+
+```
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+Removed link 'npm-global-prefix-cli' from <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: missing
+```
diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_prefix_shorthand.md b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_prefix_shorthand.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77f77aaaaf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_prefix_shorthand.md
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+# npm_global_uninstall_prefix_shorthand
+
+## `npm install -g --prefix ./custom-prefix ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+Linked 'npm-global-prefix-cli' to <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX=${workspace}/other-prefix npm uninstall -g -C ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg --dry-run`
+
+A shorthand prefix override must still preserve links during dry-run
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX=${workspace}/other-prefix npm uninstall -g -C ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+-C must override the environment prefix for uninstall link cleanup
+
+```
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+Removed link 'npm-global-prefix-cli' from <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt write-file prefix.npmrc 'prefix=${HOME}/npm-prefix
+'`
+
+```
+```
+
+## `npm_config_userconfig=${workspace}/prefix.npmrc npm install -g -C=./custom-prefix ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+-C= must override the user npmrc prefix when creating links
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+Linked 'npm-global-prefix-cli' to <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `npm_config_userconfig=${workspace}/prefix.npmrc npm -C ./custom-prefix uninstall -g npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+-C before the subcommand must also override the user npmrc prefix for cleanup
+
+```
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+Removed link 'npm-global-prefix-cli' from <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: missing
+```
diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_preserves_local_copy.md b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_preserves_local_copy.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4cd12b5e3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_preserves_local_copy.md
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+# npm_global_uninstall_preserves_local_copy
+
+## `vpt mkdir -p custom-prefix`
+
+```
+```
+
+## `vpt write-file custom-prefix/package.json '{"private":true}'`
+
+```
+```
+
+## `npm install --prefix ./custom-prefix --ignore-scripts --no-save --no-package-lock --no-audit ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Install a local copy under the same prefix
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `npm install -g --prefix ./custom-prefix ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Install a separate global copy and create its Vite+ link
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+Linked 'npm-global-prefix-cli' to <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg --dry-run`
+
+Dry-run must preserve the global command even when a local copy also exists
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --prefix ./custom-prefix npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Real uninstall must remove the global links without confusing the remaining local copy for the global installation
+
+```
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+Removed link 'npm-global-prefix-cli' from <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `node custom-prefix/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/cli.js`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
diff --git a/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_userconfig_fallback.md b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_userconfig_fallback.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f21183071f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/vp_cli_snapshots/tests/cli_snapshots/fixtures/npm_global_uninstall_prefix/snapshots/npm_global_uninstall_userconfig_fallback.md
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+# npm_global_uninstall_userconfig_fallback
+
+## `node private-runtime.mjs`
+
+```
+```
+
+## `npm install -g ./npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Install into a private copy of the selected Node runtime
+
+```
+
+added 1 package in <duration>
+Linked 'npm-global-prefix-cli' to <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json --assert file`
+
+```
+node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg/package.json: file
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert symlink`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: symlink
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm config set prefix ./other-prefix --location=user`
+
+Make the normal user config point to another prefix
+
+```
+```
+
+## `vpt write-file empty.npmrc `
+
+```
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --userconfig=empty.npmrc npm-global-prefix-pkg --dry-run`
+
+A config override dry-run must preserve the fallback installation
+
+```
+remove npm-global-prefix-pkg 1.0.0
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+Uninstalling from an empty prefix must not remove links to the surviving fallback package
+
+```
+
+up to date in <duration>
+```
+
+## `npm-global-prefix-cli`
+
+```
+npm-global-prefix-cli works
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert file`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: file
+```
+
+## `npm uninstall -g --userconfig empty.npmrc npm-global-prefix-pkg`
+
+A real uninstall using the override must clean up the fallback package's links
+
+```
+
+removed 1 package in <duration>
+Removed link 'npm-global-prefix-cli' from <home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg --assert missing`
+
+```
+node-prefix/lib/node_modules/npm-global-prefix-pkg: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file node-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+node-prefix/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bin/npm-global-prefix-cli: missing
+```
+
+## `vpt stat-file $VP_HOME/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json --assert missing`
+
+```
+<home>/.vite-plus/bins/npm-global-prefix-cli.json: missing
+```
diff --git a/crates/vp_global_cli/src/shim/dispatch.rs b/crates/vp_global_cli/src/shim/dispatch.rs
index 7a12df4f7a..90a9429928 100644
--- a/crates/vp_global_cli/src/shim/dispatch.rs
+++ b/crates/vp_global_cli/src/shim/dispatch.rs
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ use crate::{
 struct NpmGlobalCommand {
     /// Package names/specs extracted from args (e.g., ["codex", "typescript@5"])
     packages: Vec<String>,
-    /// Explicit `--prefix <dir>` from the CLI args, if present.
+    /// Explicit `--prefix <dir>` or `-C <dir>` from the CLI args, if present.
     explicit_prefix: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Value-bearing npm flags whose next arg should be skipped during package extraction.
-/// Note: `--prefix` is handled separately to capture its value.
+/// Note: `--prefix` and `-C` are handled separately to capture their values.
 const NPM_VALUE_FLAGS: &[&str] = &["--registry", "--tag", "--cache", "--tmp"];
 
 /// Install subcommands recognized by npm.
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ fn parse_npm_global_command(args: &[String], subcommands: &[&str]) -> Option<Npm
     let mut seen_positional = false;
 
     for arg in args {
-        // Capture the value after --prefix
+        // Capture the value after --prefix or -C
         if prefix_next {
             prefix_next = false;
             explicit_prefix = Some(arg.clone());
@@ -76,12 +76,12 @@ fn parse_npm_global_command(args: &[String], subcommands: &[&str]) -> Option<Npm
             continue;
         }
 
-        // Capture --prefix specially (its value is needed for prefix resolution)
-        if arg == "--prefix" {
+        // Capture prefix options specially (their values are needed for prefix resolution)
+        if arg == "--prefix" || arg == "-C" {
             prefix_next = true;
             continue;
         }
-        if let Some(value) = arg.strip_prefix("--prefix=") {
+        if let Some(value) = arg.strip_prefix("--prefix=").or_else(|| arg.strip_prefix("-C=")) {
             explicit_prefix = Some(value.to_string());
             continue;
         }
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ fn check_npm_global_install_result(
 
     for spec in packages {
         let Some(package_name) = resolve_package_name(spec) else { continue };
-        let Some(content) = read_npm_package_json(npm_prefix, node_dir, &package_name) else {
+        let Some((_, content)) = read_npm_package_json(npm_prefix, node_dir, &package_name) else {
             continue;
         };
         let Ok(package_json) = serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(&content) else {
@@ -500,16 +500,24 @@ fn dedup_missing_bins(
 /// When a bin is owned by a **different** npm package (not being uninstalled), npm may
 /// still delete its binary from `npm_bin_dir`, leaving our symlink dangling. In that
 /// case we repair the link by pointing directly at the surviving package's binary.
-fn remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(bin_entries: &[(String, String)], npm_prefix: &AbsolutePath) {
+fn remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(
+    bin_entries: &[(String, String, AbsolutePathBuf)],
+    npm_prefix: &AbsolutePath,
+) {
     let Ok(bin_dir) = config::get_bin_dir() else { return };
 
-    for (bin_name, package_name) in bin_entries {
+    for (bin_name, package_name, package_dir) in bin_entries {
         // Skip protected shims: a stale Npm BinConfig must not let
         // `npm uninstall -g` delete a default shim that `vp env setup` owns.
         if is_protected_shim(bin_name, false) {
             continue;
         }
 
+        // A successful npm command may be a dry-run configured through flags, env, or npmrc.
+        if package_dir.as_path().try_exists().unwrap_or(true) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
         let config = match BinConfig::load_sync(bin_name) {
             Ok(Some(c)) if c.source == BinSource::Npm => c,
             _ => continue,
@@ -587,41 +595,41 @@ fn remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(bin_entries: &[(String, String)], npm_prefi
     }
 }
 
-/// Read the installed package.json from npm's node_modules directory.
+/// Read the installed package.json and return its installation directory with the contents.
 /// Tries the npm prefix first (handles custom prefix), then falls back to node_dir.
 fn read_npm_package_json(
     npm_prefix: &AbsolutePath,
     node_dir: &AbsolutePath,
     package_name: &str,
-) -> Option<String> {
-    std::fs::read_to_string(
-        config::get_node_modules_dir(npm_prefix, package_name).join("package.json").as_path(),
-    )
-    .ok()
-    .or_else(|| {
-        let dir = config::get_node_modules_dir(node_dir, package_name);
-        std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("package.json").as_path()).ok()
+) -> Option<(AbsolutePathBuf, String)> {
+    [npm_prefix, node_dir].into_iter().find_map(|prefix| {
+        let dir = config::get_node_modules_dir(prefix, package_name);
+        std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("package.json").as_path())
+            .ok()
+            .map(|content| (dir, content))
     })
 }
 
-/// Collect (bin_name, package_name) pairs from packages by reading their installed package.json files.
+/// Collect bin names, package names, and their pre-uninstall installation paths.
 fn collect_bin_names_from_npm(
     packages: &[String],
     npm_prefix: &AbsolutePath,
     node_dir: &AbsolutePath,
-) -> Vec<(String, String)> {
+) -> Vec<(String, String, AbsolutePathBuf)> {
     let mut all_bins = Vec::new();
 
     for spec in packages {
         let Some(package_name) = resolve_package_name(spec) else { continue };
-        let Some(content) = read_npm_package_json(npm_prefix, node_dir, &package_name) else {
+        let Some((package_dir, content)) =
+            read_npm_package_json(npm_prefix, node_dir, &package_name)
+        else {
             continue;
         };
         let Ok(package_json) = serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(&content) else {
             continue;
         };
         for bin_name in extract_bin_names(&package_json) {
-            all_bins.push((bin_name, package_name.clone()));
+            all_bins.push((bin_name, package_name.clone(), package_dir.clone()));
         }
     }
 
@@ -1894,6 +1902,121 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.is_none(), "URLs should be filtered");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_npm_uninstall_preserves_links_until_package_is_removed() {
+        let temp = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let npm_prefix = AbsolutePathBuf::new(temp.path().join("npm-prefix")).unwrap();
+        let package_dir = config::get_node_modules_dir(&npm_prefix, "test-package");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&package_dir).unwrap();
+        let source = package_dir.join("cli.js");
+        std::fs::write(&source, "console.log('test');").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(
+            package_dir.join("package.json"),
+            r#"{"name":"test-package","bin":{"test-cli":"cli.js"}}"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        vp_shared::EnvConfig::with_vars([(env_vars::VP_HOME, temp.path())], |_| {
+            let bin_dir = config::get_bin_dir().unwrap();
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&bin_dir).unwrap();
+            create_bin_link(&bin_dir, "test-cli", &source, "test-package", "22.18.0");
+            let link = bin_dir.join("test-cli");
+            let metadata_path = BinConfig::path("test-cli").unwrap();
+            let metadata = std::fs::read(&metadata_path).unwrap();
+            assert!(link.as_path().exists());
+
+            let bins = collect_bin_names_from_npm(&s(&["test-package"]), &npm_prefix, &npm_prefix);
+            assert_eq!(bins.len(), 1);
+            #[cfg(unix)]
+            let local_dir = npm_prefix.join("node_modules").join("test-package");
+            #[cfg(unix)]
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&local_dir).unwrap();
+            remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(&bins, &npm_prefix);
+
+            assert!(link.as_path().exists(), "dry-run must preserve the installed command");
+            assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&metadata_path).unwrap(), metadata);
+            #[cfg(windows)]
+            assert!(bin_dir.join("test-cli.cmd").as_path().exists());
+
+            std::fs::remove_dir_all(&package_dir).unwrap();
+            remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(&bins, &npm_prefix);
+
+            assert!(std::fs::symlink_metadata(&link).is_err());
+            assert!(!metadata_path.as_path().exists());
+            #[cfg(unix)]
+            assert!(local_dir.as_path().exists());
+            #[cfg(windows)]
+            assert!(!bin_dir.join("test-cli.cmd").as_path().exists());
+        });
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_npm_uninstall_prefers_configured_prefix() {
+        let temp = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let npm_prefix = AbsolutePathBuf::new(temp.path().join("npm-prefix")).unwrap();
+        let node_dir = AbsolutePathBuf::new(temp.path().join("node")).unwrap();
+        for prefix in [&npm_prefix, &node_dir] {
+            let package_dir = config::get_node_modules_dir(prefix, "test-package");
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&package_dir).unwrap();
+            std::fs::write(
+                package_dir.join("package.json"),
+                r#"{"name":"test-package","bin":{"test-cli":"cli.js"}}"#,
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        }
+        assert_eq!(
+            collect_bin_names_from_npm(&s(&["test-package"]), &npm_prefix, &node_dir),
+            vec![(
+                "test-cli".to_string(),
+                "test-package".to_string(),
+                config::get_node_modules_dir(&npm_prefix, "test-package"),
+            )]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_npm_uninstall_preserves_fallback_links_until_package_is_removed() {
+        let temp = TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let npm_prefix = AbsolutePathBuf::new(temp.path().join("npm-prefix")).unwrap();
+        let node_dir = AbsolutePathBuf::new(temp.path().join("node")).unwrap();
+        let package_dir = config::get_node_modules_dir(&node_dir, "test-package");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&package_dir).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(
+            package_dir.join("package.json"),
+            r#"{"name":"test-package","bin":{"test-cli":"cli.js"}}"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let source = package_dir.join("cli.js");
+        std::fs::write(&source, "console.log('test');").unwrap();
+        let bins = collect_bin_names_from_npm(&s(&["test-package"]), &npm_prefix, &node_dir);
+        assert_eq!(
+            bins,
+            vec![("test-cli".to_string(), "test-package".to_string(), package_dir.clone())]
+        );
+
+        vp_shared::EnvConfig::with_vars([(env_vars::VP_HOME, temp.path())], |_| {
+            let bin_dir = config::get_bin_dir().unwrap();
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(&bin_dir).unwrap();
+            create_bin_link(&bin_dir, "test-cli", &source, "test-package", "22.18.0");
+            let link = bin_dir.join("test-cli");
+            let metadata_path = BinConfig::path("test-cli").unwrap();
+            let metadata = std::fs::read(&metadata_path).unwrap();
+
+            remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(&bins, &npm_prefix);
+            assert!(
+                link.as_path().exists(),
+                "a surviving fallback installation must keep its link"
+            );
+            assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&metadata_path).unwrap(), metadata);
+
+            std::fs::remove_dir_all(&package_dir).unwrap();
+            remove_npm_global_uninstall_links(&bins, &npm_prefix);
+            assert!(std::fs::symlink_metadata(&link).is_err());
+            assert!(!metadata_path.as_path().exists());
+        });
+    }
+
     // --- parse_npm_global_uninstall tests ---
 
     #[test]
@@ -2181,6 +2304,23 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(parsed.explicit_prefix.as_deref(), Some("/custom/dir"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_parse_npm_global_command_prefix_shorthand() {
+        for command in ["install", "uninstall"] {
+            for args in [
+                s(&[command, "-g", "-C", "/tmp/test", "pkg"]),
+                s(&["-C", "/tmp/test", command, "-g", "pkg"]),
+                s(&[command, "-g", "-C=/tmp/test", "pkg"]),
+                s(&[command, "-g", "--prefix", "/tmp/other", "-C", "/tmp/test", "pkg"]),
+                s(&[command, "-g", "-C", "/tmp/other", "--prefix", "/tmp/test", "pkg"]),
+            ] {
+                let parsed = parse_npm_global_command(&args, &[command]).unwrap();
+                assert_eq!(parsed.explicit_prefix.as_deref(), Some("/tmp/test"), "{args:?}");
+                assert_eq!(parsed.packages, vec!["pkg"], "{args:?}");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // --- resolve_npm_prefix tests ---
 
     #[test]