How to Manage Node.js Versions with NVM: Listing and Switching Versions

If you work with Node.js—whether you're a developer, a DevOps engineer, or just someone experimenting with JavaScript—you've likely encountered situations where you need to switch between different versions of Node.js for various projects. nvm (Node Version Manager) is a powerful tool that makes this process seamless. In this blog post, we'll walk you through how to list installed Node.js versions, switch between them, and set a default version using nvm.

What is NVM?

nvm is a version manager for Node.js that allows you to install, manage, and switch between multiple versions of Node.js on your machine. It’s especially useful when working on multiple projects that require different Node.js versions.

Installing NVM

If you haven’t installed nvm yet, you can do so by following the official installation instructions for your operating system:

macOS/Linux: Use the nvm installation script.
Windows: Use nvm-windows.

Once installed, you’re ready to start managing your Node.js versions!

Listing Installed Node.js Versions

To see all the Node.js versions installed on your system using nvm, run the following command:

nvm ls

This will display a list of installed Node.js versions. The currently active version will be highlighted with an arrow (->), and the default version (if set) will be marked with default.

Example Output:

       v14.17.0
->     v16.13.0
        v18.0.0
default -> 16.13.0 (-> v16.13.0)

In this example:

v16.13.0 is the currently active version.
v14.17.0 and v18.0.0 are also installed but not active.
The default version is set to v16.13.0.

Switching Between Node.js Versions

To switch to a specific Node.js version, use the nvm use command followed by the version number:

nvm use <version>

For example, to switch to Node.js version 16.13.0, run:

nvm use 16.13.0

After running this command, your terminal will use the specified version of Node.js.

Setting a Default Node.js Version

If you want a specific version of Node.js to be the default every time you open a new terminal, you can set it using the nvm alias command:

nvm alias default <version>

For example, to set v16.13.0 as the default version, run:

nvm alias default 16.13.0

Now, every time you open a new terminal, nvm will automatically use the specified version.

Installing a New Node.js Version

If the version you need isn’t already installed, you can easily install it using nvm. To install a specific version, run:

nvm install <version>

For example, to install Node.js version 18.0.0, run:

nvm install 18.0.0

Once installed, you can switch to it using the nvm use command.

Listing Available Node.js Versions

To see all the Node.js versions available for installation, use the nvm ls-remote command:

nvm ls-remote

This will display a long list of all available Node.js versions. You can scroll through the list to find the version you need.

Summary of Commands

Here’s a quick reference for the most commonly used nvm commands:

Command	Description
`nvm ls`	List installed Node.js versions.
`nvm use <version>`	Switch to a specific Node.js version.
`nvm alias default <version>`	Set a default Node.js version.
`nvm install <version>`	Install a specific Node.js version.
`nvm ls-remote`	List all available Node.js versions for install.

Conclusion

Using nvm to manage Node.js versions is a game-changer for developers. It simplifies the process of switching between versions, ensures compatibility across projects, and eliminates version conflicts. Whether you're working on a legacy project that requires an older version of Node.js or experimenting with the latest features, nvm has you covered.

Start using nvm today and take control of your Node.js environment! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.

Happy coding! 🚀

Oussama GHAIEB