> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://js.maxbraglia.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing Node.js

> Set up Node.js on your machine so you can run JavaScript outside the browser

## What is Node.js?

Node.js lets you run JavaScript outside of a web browser. Without it, JavaScript can only run inside a browser tab. With it, you can run JavaScript files from your terminal, use build tools, and install packages.

You need Node.js for two things in this course:

1. Running JavaScript files during the learning sections
2. Running React's development server when you build UIs

<Info>
  Node.js also comes with **npm** (Node Package Manager), which you'll use to install libraries like React. You get both when you install Node.js.
</Info>

## Installation

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    The easiest way is with Homebrew:

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew install node
    ```

    If you don't have Homebrew, install it first from [brew.sh](https://brew.sh), or download the installer directly from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Download the LTS installer from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) and run it. Accept all the default options.

    Alternatively, if you use Chocolatey:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    choco install nodejs-lts
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Using your package manager:

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Ubuntu/Debian
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install nodejs npm

    # Fedora
    sudo dnf install nodejs
    ```

    For the latest version, use [NodeSource](https://github.com/nodesource/distributions):

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo -E bash -
    sudo apt install -y nodejs
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  Always install the **LTS** (Long Term Support) version. It's the stable release that won't surprise you with breaking changes.
</Tip>

## Verifying installation

Open your terminal and run these two commands:

```bash theme={null}
node -v
# v20.11.0 (or similar)

npm -v
# 10.2.4 (or similar)
```

If both commands print a version number, you're good to go. The exact version numbers don't matter as long as Node.js is version 18 or higher.

<Warning>
  If you get "command not found," your terminal might not see the installation yet. Try closing and reopening your terminal. On Windows, you may need to restart your computer.
</Warning>

## Quick test

Let's make sure Node.js actually works. Type this directly in your terminal:

```bash theme={null}
node -e 'console.log("Node.js is working!")'
# Node.js is working!
```

The `-e` flag lets you run a one-line JavaScript command without creating a file. You'll create proper files in the next lessons.

## What's next?

Node.js is installed. Now let's set up VS Code with the right extensions for JavaScript development.

<Card title="Setting up VS Code" icon="code" href="/getting-started/vscode-setup">
  Configure your editor for JavaScript
</Card>