In this guide, I’ll show you how you can run multiple versions of Node.js on Linux using Node Version Manager (NVM). NVM is a simple bash script to manage multiple active node.js versions using your favorite Linux terminal.
Install Node Version Manager
Node Version Manager project provides a script which automates the installation for you. Install it by simply running the commands below:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh|bashThe script will clone the nvm repository to ~/.nvm directory and adds the following source line to your profile: (~/.bash_profile, ~/.zshrc, ~/.profile, or ~/.bashrc).
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_completionIf you’re a zsh user, add the lines to your ~/.zshrc file.
To verify that nvm has been installed, do:
$ source ~/.bashrc
$ command -v nvm
nvmThis should output ‘nvm‘ if the installation was successful.
Use nvm to manage Node.js versions
Now that you have installed nvm, let’s look at how you can use it to manage the versions of Node.js installed on your system.
Check available versions of Node.js
Check versions that can be installed:
$ nvm ls-remote
.................................
v16.20.2 (Latest LTS: Gallium)
v18.18.2 (Latest LTS: Hydrogen)
v20.9.0 (Latest LTS: Iron)
...Install Latest version of Node.js
To download, compile, and install the latest release of node, run:
$ nvm install node
Downloading and installing node v21.2.0...
Downloading https://nodejs.org/dist/v21.2.0/node-v21.2.0-linux-x64.tar.xz...
############################################################################################################################################################################################### 100.0%
Computing checksum with sha256sum
Checksums matched!
Now using node v21.2.0 (npm v10.2.3)
Creating default alias: default -> node (-> v21.2.0)Install Specific version of Node.js
Install a specific version of node, provide version number as an argument to nvm install command.
$ nvm install v20
Downloading and installing node v20.9.0...
Downloading https://nodejs.org/dist/v20.9.0/node-v20.9.0-linux-x64.tar.xz...
############################################################################################################################################################################################### 100.0%
Computing checksum with sha256sum
Checksums matched!
Now using node v20.9.0 (npm v10.1.0)
$ nvm install v18
Downloading and installing node v18.18.2...
Downloading https://nodejs.org/dist/v18.18.2/node-v18.18.2-linux-x64.tar.xz...
############################################################################################################################################################################################### 100.0%
Computing checksum with sha256sum
Checksums matched!
Now using node v18.18.2 (npm v9.8.1)Install Node.js LTS version
This installs the latest LTS release of node.
$ nvm install --lts
Downloading and installing node v20.9.0...
Downloading https://nodejs.org/dist/v20.9.0/node-v20.9.0-linux-x64.tar.xz...
############################################################################################################################################################################################### 100.0%
Computing checksum with sha256sum
Checksums matched!
Now using node v20.9.0 (npm v10.1.0)List installed Node.js versions
To check installed versions, use:
$ nvm ls
v18.18.2
-> v20.9.0
v21.2.0
default -> node (-> v21.2.0)
...Use Latest Node.js
To use the latest version on the shell, run:
$ nvm use node
Now using node v21.2.0 (npm v10.2.3)Use a specific version of node:
Specify version number.
$ nvm use v20
Now using node v20.9.0 (npm v10.1.0)Migrating global packages while installing
If you want to install a new version of Node.js and migrate npm packages from a previous version:
nvm install node --reinstall-packages-from=nodeTo use the system version of node, add system at the end of use.
$ nvm use system
$ nvm run system --versionTo restore your PATH, you can deactivate it:
nvm deactivateFor more usage examples, visit nvm Github page.
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