nvm (Node Version Manager)

What it is

nvm is a version manager for Node.js: a shell script that installs several Node versions side by side in your home folder and switches between them. nvm install 22 installs a version, nvm use 22 switches the current shell to it, and a .nvmrc file in a project records which version that project expects, so nvm use picks it automatically. The project's README on GitHub is the official documentation.

Why use a version manager

Different projects need different Node versions, and upgrading the one system-wide Node breaks older projects. Installing Node through nvm also keeps it inside your home folder, which means global npm packages install without sudo. Using sudo with npm is one of the most common ways beginners end up with root-owned files and permission errors. nvm works by putting the chosen version first on your PATH, which is also a good lesson in how PATH works.

Platform notes

The README lists Unix, macOS and Windows WSL as its platforms. It does not run in Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt; Windows developers working in WSL should install it inside their Linux distribution. Separate, unrelated projects exist for native Windows, which the nvm maintainers neither develop nor support.

Installing it

The README gives an install script (run with curl or wget) that clones nvm into ~/.nvm and adds a few lines to your shell startup file. Open a new terminal afterwards, or source your startup file, and check with command -v nvm. On a Mac, note that the README says installing nvm through Homebrew is not supported; use the README's own method.

Everyday commands

• nvm install --lts for the current long-term support release
• nvm ls to list installed versions
• nvm use inside a project with a .nvmrc
• nvm alias default 22 to set the version for new shells

Is it worth it?

Yes, for anyone writing JavaScript or TypeScript outside the browser. Alternatives such as fnm, Volta and mise exist and some are faster; any of them is better than a single system-wide Node.

Common questions

Does it slow down my shell? Loading nvm adds a little start-up time; the README documents lazy-loading options.

Is it free? Yes, it is open source under the MIT licence.