🟢How to Install Node.js on Your VPS

Introduction

Don't install Node.js from the default apt repos, they ship ancient versions. Use NodeSource for an up-to-date LTS release, or nvm if you need to switch between versions.

Method 1, NodeSource (Recommended for Servers)

1. 1SSH in and run:

   curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
   sudo apt install -y nodejs

1. 1Verify:

   node --version
   npm --version

You should see v20.x.x and a recent npm.

Method 2, nvm (Recommended for Dev VPS)

1. 1Install nvm:

   curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash

1. 1Reload your shell:

   source ~/.bashrc

1. 1Install Node:

   nvm install --lts
   nvm use --lts

Run a Node App in Production

• Use PM2 to keep apps alive across crashes and reboots:

  sudo npm install -g pm2
  pm2 start app.js
  pm2 startup
  pm2 save

• Pair it with Nginx as a reverse proxy on port 80/443
• Add HTTPS with Certbot, see the web server guide

Useful PM2 Commands

• pm2 list, show all apps
• pm2 logs, tail combined logs
• pm2 restart app, restart by name
• pm2 monit, live dashboard

Warning: Don't run apps as root. Create a non-root user first.

Need More Help?

Need a hand wiring up a Node app behind Nginx? Drop your config in Discord.