Stage 4 · Lesson 7 of 8

Version managers: nvm, pyenv and friends

Different projects need different versions of a language: one uses Node 20, another Node 22. install several versions side by side in your . They switch between them for each shell or each project by putting the right version first on your PATH. nvm is the usual choice for Node, pyenv for , and tools such as mise handle many languages at once.

A small .nvmrc or .python-version file in a project records its version for everyone. Add the manager's setup lines to your , as its instructions say.

Common trapinstalling a language through both the and a version manager, then not knowing which one runs.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with

BookFree
The Linux Command Line
William Shotts · Beginner
Its chapters on permissions and processes are the clearest free explanation of this stage

Practise

OverTheWire: Bandit
Later levels need permissions, setuid binaries and processes to progress

Keep handy

nvm (Node Version Manager)
The official README for installing nvm and switching Node versions per project
Homebrew
How brew installs, upgrades and cleans up the tools on your Mac

Also worth your time

roadmap.sh: LinuxGo deeper
See the users, permissions and process management branches of the Linux map