How to Install NVM on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
NVM on Ubuntu lets you manage different Node.js versions on your computer.
NVM stands for Node Version Manager. It’s a tool that runs in the command line, making it simple to install, switch between, and keep track of various Node.js versions needed for your projects.
This manager works for your individual user account, which is ideal if you work on development tasks that require different Node.js setups. For example, you can install Node.js version 20.11.0 with just one command.
Install NVM by running the provided cURL or Wget command from the official NVM GitHub repository. After the script finishes, reload your shell configuration by running `source ~/.bashrc` to activate NVM.
How to install nvm on Ubuntu Linux
As mentioned above, nvm allows you to quickly install and use different versions of nodes via the command line.
The steps below show you how to do that on Ubuntu Linux.
Install nvm
You can install nvm on Ubuntu using a simple command in your terminal. This command runs a script that downloads and sets up nvm, which helps you manage different versions of Node.js on your computer. Just copy the command and press Enter to install nvm.
cURL command:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.2/install.sh | bash
Wget command:
wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.2/install.sh | bash
After installing, the script should output the lines below.
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
Once downloaded, you can then activate and reload your shell environment. By default, it’s bash (~/.bashrc).
source ~/.bashrc
To check the version of nvm installed, run the commands below.
nvm --version
Install Node.js with nvm
After setting up nvm on your Ubuntu system, installing Node.js is easy. The command `nvm install node` downloads and installs the latest version of Node.js for you. You can then check the version number to confirm your Node.js installation is complete.
Run the commands below to download and install the current and latest version of node.js.
nvm install node
Once installed, you can check the version of node.js installed by running the commands below.
node --version
Run the commands below to install the latest stable version (long-term support).
nvm install node --lts
To install a specific version (12.17.0), run the commands below.
nvm install 12.17.0
To list all available versions in the repository, run the commands below.
nvm ls-remote
nvm use 12.17.0
To find the current default node.js installed, run the commands below.
nvm run default --version
Uninstall node.js
Removing a specific Node.js version installed with nvm on Ubuntu is straightforward. Use the `nvm uninstall` command followed by the version number you want to remove, like `nvm uninstall v12.17.0`. This command will then remove that particular Node.js version from your system.
nvm uninstall v12.17.0
That should do it!
Conclusion:
- Nvm is a valuable tool for developers to manage multiple versions of node.js on their systems easily.
- By following the installation instructions, developers can quickly install and use different versions of node.js via the command line.
- The provided guide simplifies installing nvm on Ubuntu Linux and showcases how to install and manage node.js using nvm.
- Users are encouraged to provide feedback or suggestions for improvement through the comment section below.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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