I'm trying to install packages using Bower.

Without a .bowerrc file, it works. For example, bower install angular#1.0.6 will install nicely inside ./bower_components.

If there is a .bowerrc with { 'directory' : 'public/javascripts/vendor' }, bower install angular#1.0.6 will not work. Actually, the output of that command is nothing. It simply prints a blank line, then the next line is my terminal prompt. The package is not installed anywhere.

However, if there is an empty .bowerrc file, it will install the package inside ./bower_components.

Why is it not installing the packages and how can I fix it? (so they will install)

Additional info:

No bower command works. bower will fail similarly. bower help too. In fact, bower anything will too.