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nvm

Source: github.com: Node Version Manager

Manage multiple installations of node.js on these platforms: unix, macOS, and windows WSL.

Installation​

  1. Install cURL (a tool used for downloading content from the internet in the command-line) with:

    sudo apt-get install curl

  2. Check the most recent release at github.com: Node Version Manager. Adjust the below command to include the newest version:

    curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh | bash

  3. To verify installation, enter:

    command -v nvm

    this should return nvm, if you receive command not found or no response at all, close your current terminal, reopen it, and try again. Learn more in the nvm github repo.

  4. List which versions of node are currently installed (should be none at this point):

    nvm ls

  5. Install two version of node:

    1. Current release of node.js (for testing the newest feature improvements, but more likely to have issues):

      nvm install node    # "node" is an alias for the latest version

    2. The latest stable LTS release of node.js (recommended):

      nvm install --lts

  6. List what versions of node are installed:

    nvm ls

    now you should see the two versions that you just installed listed.

  7. Verify that node.js is installed and the currently default version with:

    node --version

    Then verify that you have npm as well, with:

    npm --version

    (You can also use which node or which npm to see the path used for the default versions).

Change Version of Node​

To change the version of node.js you would like to use for a project, create a new project directory:

mkdir NodeTest  # create the directory

cd NodeTest     # enter the directory

nvm use node    # swith to the Current version or

nvm use --lts   # switch to the LTS version

You can also use the specific number for any additional versions you've installed, like:

nvm use v8.2.1

To list all of the versions of node.js available, use the command:

nvm ls-remote
tip

If you are using nvmto install node.js and npm, you should not need to use the sudo command to install new packages.

Set the Default Node Version​

To set a default node version to be used in any new shell, use the alias 'default':

nvm alias default node

# in my case
nvm alias default 12

# and if you don't want restart shell
nvm use 12

Updating​

Installing the newer version of nvm using cURL will replace the older one, leaving the version of node you've used nvm to install intact. For example:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.36.0/install.sh | bash
caution

Remember to check the most recent release at github.com: Node Version Manager and adjust the above command to include the newest version.

Auto-switching node version​

See nvm per Folder