diff --git a/.github/workflows/coder.yaml b/.github/workflows/coder.yaml
index 08a63aad98..f33e44e922 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/coder.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/coder.yaml
@@ -60,8 +60,7 @@ jobs:
           key: js-${{ runner.os }}-test-${{ hashFiles('**/yarn.lock') }}
 
       - name: Install node_modules
-        run: yarn install
-        working-directory: site
+        run: ./scripts/yarn_install.sh
 
       - name: "yarn lint"
         run: yarn lint
@@ -108,8 +107,7 @@ jobs:
           key: js-${{ runner.os }}-test-${{ hashFiles('**/yarn.lock') }}
 
       - name: Install node_modules
-        run: yarn install
-        working-directory: site
+        run: ./scripts/yarn_install.sh
 
       - name: "make fmt"
         run: "make --output-sync -j fmt"
@@ -214,8 +212,8 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: "14"
 
-      - run: yarn install
-        working-directory: site
+      - name: Install node_modules
+        run: ./scripts/yarn_install.sh
 
       - uses: actions/setup-go@v2
         with:
@@ -252,13 +250,15 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: "14"
 
-      - run: yarn install
+      - name: Install node_modules
+        run: ./scripts/yarn_install.sh
+
+      - name: Build frontend
+        run: yarn build
         working-directory: site
 
-      - run: yarn build
-        working-directory: site
-
-      - run: yarn storybook:build
+      - name: Build Storybook
+        run: yarn storybook:build
         working-directory: site
 
       - run: yarn test:coverage
diff --git a/develop.sh b/develop.sh
index 3ecffdff62..f7df8100b0 100755
--- a/develop.sh
+++ b/develop.sh
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ function create_initial_user() {
 }
 
 # Run yarn install, to make sure node_modules are ready to go
-yarn --cwd=./site install
+"$PROJECT_ROOT/scripts/yarn_install.sh"
 
 # Do initial build - a dev build for coderd.
 # It's OK that we don't build the front-end before - because the front-end
diff --git a/scripts/yarn_install.sh b/scripts/yarn_install.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..6cccda2dd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/yarn_install.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+#
+# Run "yarn install" with flags appropriate to the environment
+# (local development vs build system)
+#
+# Usage: yarn_install.sh [optional extra flags]
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+PROJECT_ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
+cd "$PROJECT_ROOT/site"
+
+yarn_flags=(
+  # Do not execute install scripts
+  # TODO: check if build works properly with this enabled
+  # --ignore-scripts
+
+  # Check if existing node_modules are valid
+  # TODO: determine if this is necessary
+  # --check-files
+
+  # Do not install optional dependencies
+  --ignore-optional
+)
+
+if [ -n "${CI:-}" ]; then
+  yarn_flags+=(
+    # Install dependencies from lockfile, ensuring builds are fully
+    # reproducible
+    --frozen-lockfile
+    # Suppress progress information
+    --silent
+    # Disable interactive prompts for build
+    --non-interactive
+  )
+fi
+
+# Append whatever is specified on the command line
+yarn_flags+=("$@")
+
+echo "+ yarn install ${yarn_flags[*]}"
+yarn install "${yarn_flags[@]}"