How can I use npm scripts to automate common development tasks in a Node.js project?

Automating common tasks in a Node.js project is quite easy. Simply do the following:

1. Open your project's "package.json" file.
2. Under the "scripts" section, define custom scripts with unique names, such as the following example:

   "scripts": {
   "start": "node script1.js"   
     }

3. Run the defined scripts using the npm run command followed by the script name:

   npm start

Doing this helps automate tasks like testing, building, and running your Node.js project.