Install Node with Node Version Manager (nvm)

If you’ve run into issues trying to install Node.js or npm on your server, you may want to consider installing a custom Node version. This post will walk you through the steps of installing a custom Node version on your server or any other Linux-based machine.

Ain’t got time to read all this info? No matter, there’s a tldr; section.

Installation

The best method for installing a custom Node version is to use nvm (Node Version Manager). This will allow you to install multiple Node versions and switch between them easily.

You can install nvm by running the following command:

$ curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash

Listing Versions

You can see which versions of Node.js or ones you have installed already, by using any of the below following command(s).

List all available versions:

$ nvm list-remote

List all currently installed versions:

$ nvm list

List all currently installed versions and their paths:

$ nvm list -p

Install Node

Once you’ve determined what version of Node you want to install, you can use any of the below following command(s).

Install latest version:

$ nvm install node

Install latest LTS version:

$ nvm install --lts

Install a specific version:

$ nvm install 14.17.0

Install a specific version from a specific release name:

$ nvm install lts/fermium

Switch Node Versions

At times you may need to switch between Node versions. You can do this by using any of the below following command(s).

Switch to latest version:

$ nvm use node

Switch to latest LTS version:

$ nvm use --lts

Switch to a specific version:

$ nvm use 14.17.0

Switch to a specific version from a specific release name:

$ nvm use lts/fermium

Uninstall Node

When you no longer need a specific version of Node, you can uninstall it by using any of the below following command(s).

Uninstall latest version:

$ nvm uninstall node

Uninstall latest LTS version:

$ nvm uninstall --lts

Uninstall a specific version:

$ nvm uninstall 14.17.0

Uninstall a specific version from a specific release name:

$ nvm uninstall lts/fermium

TLDR

Install NVM (Node Version Manager):

$ curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash # Install nvm

Install example version (Node.js 14.17.0):

$ nvm install 14.17.0        # Install example version
$ nvm use 14.17.0            # Switch to example version  
$ nvm alias default 14.17.0  # Optional, set as default 
$ nvm uninstall 14.17.0      # Uninstall

Conclusion

That’s it! You should now have a custom Node version installed on your server or any other Linux-based machine.

Happy coding!