diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0723da81..baaa2b68 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -7,5 +7,4 @@ node_modules/
 *.temp
 .claude/settings.local.json
 plugin/data/
-plugin/data.backup/
-plugin/scripts/package-lock.json
\ No newline at end of file
+plugin/data.backup/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 62fb8561..b838f4b5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,19 +9,15 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 
 ### Fixed
 - **Windows PowerShell compatibility**: Fixed SessionStart hook error on Windows systems
-  - Replaced bash-specific command (`[`, `&&`, `||`) with cross-platform Node.js installer
-  - Created `ensure-dependencies.js` script for automatic dependency installation
-  - Dependencies (`better-sqlite3`) now install correctly on Windows, macOS, and Linux
-
-### Added
-- **Cross-platform dependency installer**: New `ensure-dependencies.js` script handles runtime dependency installation
-- **Automatic package.json generation**: Build process now creates `package.json` in `plugin/scripts/` directory
-- **Enhanced build output**: Build script now generates installer alongside hooks and services
+  - Replaced bash-specific test command `[` with standard cross-platform npm install
+  - Simplified hook command to use idempotent npm install (fast when dependencies exist)
+  - Dependencies install from root package.json in marketplace folder
 
 ### Changed
-- **SessionStart hook command**: Now uses `node ensure-dependencies.js && node context-hook.js` instead of bash syntax
-- **Build process**: Added installer script bundling and package.json generation steps
-- **.gitignore**: Added `plugin/scripts/package-lock.json` to prevent version control conflicts
+- **SessionStart hook command**: Now uses `cd ... && npm install --prefer-offline --no-audit --no-fund --loglevel=error && node context-hook.js`
+  - Removed bash-specific conditional check
+  - npm install is fast (~500ms) and idempotent when dependencies already exist
+  - Works cross-platform on Windows, macOS, and Linux
 
 
 ## [4.2.1] - 2025-10-22
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 2f4226dd..3314cab3 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ This creates a continuous memory system where Claude can learn from past session
 Claude-mem integrates with Claude Code through 5 lifecycle hooks:
 
 1. **SessionStart Hook** (`context-hook`)
-   - Auto-installs dependencies on first run (cross-platform Node.js installer)
+   - Ensures dependencies are installed (runs fast idempotent npm install)
    - Injects context from previous sessions
    - Auto-starts PM2 worker service
    - Retrieves last 10 session summaries with three-tier verbosity (v4.2.0)
@@ -201,16 +201,12 @@ npm run build && git commit -a -m "Build and update" && git push && cd ~/.claude
 ```
 
 1) Compiles TypeScript and outputs hook executables to `plugin/scripts/`
-2) Generates `ensure-dependencies.js` - cross-platform installer script
-3) Creates `package.json` in `plugin/scripts/` with runtime dependencies
-4) Does all the things needed to update and test since plugin-based installs are out of the .claude/ folder
+2) Does all the things needed to update and test since plugin-based installs are out of the .claude/ folder
 
 **Build Outputs**:
 - Hook executables: `*-hook.js` (ESM format)
 - Worker service: `worker-service.cjs` (CJS format)
 - Search server: `search-server.js` (ESM format)
-- Dependency installer: `ensure-dependencies.js` (ESM format)
-- Runtime manifest: `package.json` (includes `better-sqlite3` dependency)
 
 ## Version History
 
@@ -219,15 +215,14 @@ npm run build && git commit -a -m "Build and update" && git push && cd ~/.claude
 
 **Fixes**:
 - Fixed Windows PowerShell compatibility issue with SessionStart hook
-- Replaced bash-specific installation command with cross-platform Node.js installer
-- Added `ensure-dependencies.js` script for automatic dependency installation
-- Build process now generates `package.json` with runtime dependencies in `plugin/scripts/`
+- Replaced bash-specific test command `[` with cross-platform npm install command
+- Hook now runs `npm install` with quiet flags (fast and idempotent when dependencies exist)
 
 **Technical Details**:
-- Created `src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts` for cross-platform dependency management
-- Updated `plugin/hooks/hooks.json` to use Node.js command chain instead of shell syntax
-- Dependencies (`better-sqlite3`) are now installed automatically on first run across all platforms
-- Added `.gitignore` rule for `plugin/scripts/package-lock.json`
+- Updated `plugin/hooks/hooks.json` SessionStart command to use standard shell syntax
+- Changed from: `[ ! -d ... ] && cd ... && npm install && node ... || node ...`
+- Changed to: `cd ... && npm install --prefer-offline --no-audit --no-fund --loglevel=error && node ...`
+- Dependencies are installed in marketplace folder (parent of CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT) where root package.json exists
 
 ### v4.2.0
 **Breaking Changes**: None (minor version)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d48b8277..2f3365f9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ npm install -g claude-mem
 
 1. **Automatic Dependency Installation**
 
-   The plugin automatically installs required dependencies (`better-sqlite3`) on first run. This happens when you first start Claude Code after installation. The process is cross-platform and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
+   Dependencies are installed automatically during plugin installation. The SessionStart hook also ensures dependencies are up-to-date on each session start (this is fast and idempotent). Works cross-platform on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
 
 2. **Verify Plugin Installation**
 
diff --git a/plugin/hooks/hooks.json b/plugin/hooks/hooks.json
index 282291a0..a069acb7 100644
--- a/plugin/hooks/hooks.json
+++ b/plugin/hooks/hooks.json
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
         "hooks": [
           {
             "type": "command",
-            "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/ensure-dependencies.js && node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/context-hook.js",
+            "command": "cd \"${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/..\" && npm install --prefer-offline --no-audit --no-fund --loglevel=error && node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/context-hook.js",
             "timeout": 120
           }
         ]
diff --git a/plugin/scripts/ensure-dependencies.js b/plugin/scripts/ensure-dependencies.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 092c9934..00000000
--- a/plugin/scripts/ensure-dependencies.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env node
-
-// src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts
-import { existsSync, mkdirSync, writeFileSync } from "fs";
-import { join, dirname } from "path";
-import { execSync } from "child_process";
-import { fileURLToPath } from "url";
-function getDirname() {
-  return typeof __dirname !== "undefined" ? __dirname : dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
-}
-var scriptDir = getDirname();
-var isBuilt = scriptDir.includes("plugin/scripts") || scriptDir.includes("plugin\\scripts");
-var targetDir = isBuilt ? scriptDir : join(scriptDir, "../../plugin/scripts");
-var nodeModulesPath = join(targetDir, "node_modules");
-var packageJsonPath = join(targetDir, "package.json");
-if (existsSync(nodeModulesPath)) {
-  const betterSqlitePath = join(nodeModulesPath, "better-sqlite3");
-  if (existsSync(betterSqlitePath)) {
-    process.exit(0);
-  }
-}
-if (!existsSync(targetDir)) {
-  mkdirSync(targetDir, { recursive: true });
-}
-if (!existsSync(packageJsonPath)) {
-  const packageJson = {
-    name: "claude-mem-scripts",
-    version: "4.2.1",
-    description: "Runtime dependencies for claude-mem plugin hooks",
-    private: true,
-    type: "module",
-    dependencies: {
-      "better-sqlite3": "^11.0.0"
-    }
-  };
-  writeFileSync(packageJsonPath, JSON.stringify(packageJson, null, 2));
-}
-try {
-  console.log("Installing claude-mem dependencies...");
-  execSync("npm install --prefer-offline --no-audit --no-fund --loglevel error", {
-    cwd: targetDir,
-    stdio: "inherit"
-  });
-  console.log("Dependencies installed successfully.");
-  process.exit(0);
-} catch (error) {
-  console.error("Failed to install dependencies:", error.message);
-  process.exit(1);
-}
diff --git a/plugin/scripts/package.json b/plugin/scripts/package.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 0bee6074..00000000
--- a/plugin/scripts/package.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "name": "claude-mem-scripts",
-  "version": "4.2.1",
-  "description": "Runtime dependencies for claude-mem plugin hooks",
-  "private": true,
-  "type": "module",
-  "dependencies": {
-    "better-sqlite3": "^11.0.0"
-  }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/build-hooks.js b/scripts/build-hooks.js
index a776822f..b221cf1a 100644
--- a/scripts/build-hooks.js
+++ b/scripts/build-hooks.js
@@ -30,11 +30,6 @@ const SEARCH_SERVER = {
   source: 'src/servers/search-server.ts'
 };
 
-const INSTALLER = {
-  name: 'ensure-dependencies',
-  source: 'src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts'
-};
-
 async function buildHooks() {
   console.log('🔨 Building claude-mem hooks, worker service, and search server...\n');
 
@@ -133,52 +128,11 @@ async function buildHooks() {
     const searchStats = fs.statSync(`${hooksDir}/${SEARCH_SERVER.name}.js`);
     console.log(`✓ search-server built (${(searchStats.size / 1024).toFixed(2)} KB)`);
 
-    // Build dependency installer
-    console.log(`\n🔧 Building dependency installer...`);
-    await build({
-      entryPoints: [INSTALLER.source],
-      bundle: true,
-      platform: 'node',
-      target: 'node18',
-      format: 'esm',
-      outfile: `${hooksDir}/${INSTALLER.name}.js`,
-      minify: false, // Keep readable for debugging
-      banner: {
-        js: '#!/usr/bin/env node'
-      }
-    });
-
-    // Make installer executable
-    fs.chmodSync(`${hooksDir}/${INSTALLER.name}.js`, 0o755);
-    const installerStats = fs.statSync(`${hooksDir}/${INSTALLER.name}.js`);
-    console.log(`✓ installer built (${(installerStats.size / 1024).toFixed(2)} KB)`);
-
-    // Create package.json for plugin/scripts
-    console.log('\n📦 Creating package.json...');
-    const scriptsPackageJson = {
-      name: 'claude-mem-scripts',
-      version: version,
-      description: 'Runtime dependencies for claude-mem plugin hooks',
-      private: true,
-      type: 'module',
-      dependencies: {
-        'better-sqlite3': '^11.0.0'
-      }
-    };
-    
-    fs.writeFileSync(
-      `${hooksDir}/package.json`,
-      JSON.stringify(scriptsPackageJson, null, 2)
-    );
-    console.log('✓ package.json created');
-
     console.log('\n✅ All hooks, worker service, and search server built successfully!');
     console.log(`   Output: ${hooksDir}/`);
     console.log(`   - Hooks: *-hook.js`);
     console.log(`   - Worker: worker-service.cjs`);
     console.log(`   - Search: search-server.js`);
-    console.log(`   - Installer: ensure-dependencies.js`);
-    console.log(`   - Dependencies: package.json`);
     console.log('\n💡 Note: Dependencies will be auto-installed on first hook execution');
 
   } catch (error) {
diff --git a/src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts b/src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 10ee3a0d..00000000
--- a/src/bin/ensure-dependencies.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,66 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Cross-platform dependency installer for claude-mem plugin hooks
- * Ensures better-sqlite3 is installed in the plugin/scripts directory
- */
-
-import { existsSync, mkdirSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs';
-import { join, dirname } from 'path';
-import { execSync } from 'child_process';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
-
-function getDirname() {
-  return typeof __dirname !== 'undefined' ? __dirname : dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
-}
-
-const scriptDir = getDirname();
-
-// Determine if we're in the built plugin/scripts directory or src/bin
-const isBuilt = scriptDir.includes('plugin/scripts') || scriptDir.includes('plugin\\scripts');
-const targetDir = isBuilt ? scriptDir : join(scriptDir, '../../plugin/scripts');
-
-const nodeModulesPath = join(targetDir, 'node_modules');
-const packageJsonPath = join(targetDir, 'package.json');
-
-// Check if better-sqlite3 is already installed
-if (existsSync(nodeModulesPath)) {
-  const betterSqlitePath = join(nodeModulesPath, 'better-sqlite3');
-  if (existsSync(betterSqlitePath)) {
-    // Dependencies already installed
-    process.exit(0);
-  }
-}
-
-// Ensure target directory exists
-if (!existsSync(targetDir)) {
-  mkdirSync(targetDir, { recursive: true });
-}
-
-// Create minimal package.json if it doesn't exist
-if (!existsSync(packageJsonPath)) {
-  const packageJson = {
-    name: 'claude-mem-scripts',
-    version: '4.2.1',
-    description: 'Runtime dependencies for claude-mem plugin hooks',
-    private: true,
-    type: 'module',
-    dependencies: {
-      'better-sqlite3': '^11.0.0'
-    }
-  };
-  
-  writeFileSync(packageJsonPath, JSON.stringify(packageJson, null, 2));
-}
-
-// Install dependencies
-try {
-  console.log('Installing claude-mem dependencies...');
-  execSync('npm install --prefer-offline --no-audit --no-fund --loglevel error', {
-    cwd: targetDir,
-    stdio: 'inherit'
-  });
-  console.log('Dependencies installed successfully.');
-  process.exit(0);
-} catch (error: any) {
-  console.error('Failed to install dependencies:', error.message);
-  process.exit(1);
-}