Error UNABLE_TO_VERIFY_LEAF_SIGNATURE

If you're using ESET antivirus, it's likely the culprit:

After struggling to solve this problem almost a week, ESET cause this error when run npm command.
https://github.com/SillyTavern/SillyTavern/issues/2100#issuecomment-2063231168
Open ESET and search in configuration for "Application scan rules", find node and put it in Ignore.

from stackoverflow

1. find out where you have nodejs installed with where node
   • for me it's C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe
2. Eset Internet Security: Sidebar: Setup -> Internet protection -> Web Access Protection -> Cog icon -> Configure -> Excluded Applications -> Edit and add the node path

more solutions if the above doesen't work:

• javascript - Unable to verify leaf signature - Stack Overflow
• node.js - Error: UNABLE_TO_VERIFY_LEAF_SIGNATURE Phonegap Installation - Stack Overflow