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How to install Node.js

This is the first step toward building full stack applications and APIs with JavaScript.

@heyshadowsmith

February 20, 2018

In this article, I walk you through installing Node, so you can begin building full web applications with JavaScript.

Installing Node is pretty easy from the Node.js web site, but it is important to understand that Node isn't a "program" like your code editor or anything like that. Node gives you the ability to run JavaScript server-side, and you work with it directly from your terminal.

Installation

  1. Download the Node installer from nodejs.org
  2. Run the installer you just downloaded
  3. Follow the installer's steps
  4. Restart your computer
    Node will not work if you skip this step

Confirming Node is installed

  1. Open your terminal
  2. Type node -v
  3. Press Enter
  4. Confirm that your Node version was displayed on screen.

And that's it!

Once you confirm Node is installed on your machine, you are ready to install the Node Package Manager (NPM) to begin leveraging NPM Modules for your new projects.

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