diff --git a/.yarnrc.yml b/.yarnrc.yml
index 3186f3f0..a6601208 100644
--- a/.yarnrc.yml
+++ b/.yarnrc.yml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-nodeLinker: node-modules
+nodeLinker: pnpm
diff --git a/packages/synthetic-chain/src/cli/doctor.ts b/packages/synthetic-chain/src/cli/doctor.ts
index 2012df11..ba20f864 100644
--- a/packages/synthetic-chain/src/cli/doctor.ts
+++ b/packages/synthetic-chain/src/cli/doctor.ts
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ const fixupProposal = (proposal: ProposalInfo) => {
         fs.writeFileSync(yarnLock, '');
       }
 
-      // default to node-modules linker
+      // default to pnpm linker because it saves disk space
       const yarnRc = path.join(proposalPath, '.yarnrc.yml');
       if (!fs.existsSync(yarnRc)) {
-        console.log(`creating ${yarnRc} with node-modules linker`);
-        fs.writeFileSync(yarnRc, 'nodeLinker: node-modules\n');
+        console.log(`creating ${yarnRc} with pnpm linker`);
+        fs.writeFileSync(yarnRc, 'nodeLinker: pnpm\n');
       }
 
       // refresh install
diff --git a/proposals/34:upgrade-10/.yarnrc.yml b/proposals/34:upgrade-10/.yarnrc.yml
index 3186f3f0..a6601208 100644
--- a/proposals/34:upgrade-10/.yarnrc.yml
+++ b/proposals/34:upgrade-10/.yarnrc.yml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-nodeLinker: node-modules
+nodeLinker: pnpm
diff --git a/proposals/43:upgrade-11/.yarnrc.yml b/proposals/43:upgrade-11/.yarnrc.yml
index 3186f3f0..a6601208 100644
--- a/proposals/43:upgrade-11/.yarnrc.yml
+++ b/proposals/43:upgrade-11/.yarnrc.yml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-nodeLinker: node-modules
+nodeLinker: pnpm
diff --git a/proposals/49:smart-wallet-nft/.yarnrc.yml b/proposals/49:smart-wallet-nft/.yarnrc.yml
index 3186f3f0..a6601208 100644
--- a/proposals/49:smart-wallet-nft/.yarnrc.yml
+++ b/proposals/49:smart-wallet-nft/.yarnrc.yml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-nodeLinker: node-modules
+nodeLinker: pnpm