Installing Node.js with nvm to Linux & macOS

A quick guide on how to setup Node.js development environment.

Previous versions of these install instructions had been tested with:

• Ubuntu 17.04 (Zesty Zapus)
• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus)
• Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS (Trusty)
• macOS 10.12.6 (Sierra)
• OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan)

Install nvm for managing Node.js versions

The reason for using nvm instead of other install types is mainly in how easy it is to have multiple versions of Node.js (if needed) without too much of extra complexity. Sometimes applications might require a certain version of Node.js to work, so having the flexibility of using specific versions can save a lot of time from you.

1. Open new Terminal window.
2. Run nvm installer
   • ...with either curl or wget.
     • curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.33.8/install.sh | bash
     • wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.33.8/install.sh | bash
   • The script clones the nvm repository to ~/.nvm and adds the source line to your profile (~/.bash_profile, ~/.zshrc, ~/.profile, or ~/.bashrc). (You might want/need to add the source loading line by yourself, if the automated install tool does not add it for you.)

     export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
     [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm
     [ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion
     

3. If everything went well, you should now be able to reload the shell by running
   • source ~/.bashrc
   • (Another option is to open a new Terminal window/tab.)
4. Verify installation
   • To verify that nvm has been installed, do: command -v nvm
5. List what versions of Node are currently installed (probably none).
   • nvm ls
6. Install latest Node.js LTS release (recommended for production usage).
   • nvm install v8.9.4
7. Install Current Node.js release with latest features (for testing the future features of Node).
   • nvm install v9.6.1
8. Set a default Node version for nvm (enabling you to actually use it in a new Terminal session windows).
   • nvm alias default v8.9.4 (if you work with production quality projects)
   • nvm alias default v9.6.1 (if you want to use the latest features of Node.js)

It is also possible to select what Node.js version is used per project basis, by running nvm use v9.6.1 (or another version number) on the directory where the individual project is located. One way to do that is to create small Bash shell script for enabling the right environment when needed, so you would not have to remember what exact version was needed. Now you have it.

After previous steps, now you should have a working Node.js installation with the ability to install new npm packages to your computer.

1. Open new Terminal window.
2. Install Yeoman project generator for web apps.
   • npm install -g yo

You can find a lot of other packages from the npm website. Have a good time with the tools.

Upgrading from previous version of Node.js

If you already have previous version of Node.js installed with nvm, you can upgrade to a different version with these steps.

• Open new Terminal window (to make sure you have latest Node.js version active in your command line environment).
• Linking global packages from previous version (at this example, v8._._).
  • nvm reinstall-packages v8.9.3

Updating outdated packages

List what (top level) packages are installed globally

npm ls -g --depth=0.

List what packages are outdated

npm outdated -g --depth=0.

Update outdated globally installed npm packages

npm update -g

Deleting old Node.js versions

• Look what versions are installed:
  • nvm ls
• Delete an older version (if it is no longer used in some of your projects):
  • nvm uninstall v8.9.3