Node Version Manager, or nvm, allows you to install, update, and uninstall Node on your system, and also to manage multiple versions of Node that you can switch between. In the unlikely event that npm is installed but Node is not (or vice versa), then it’s probably worth uninstalling it before continuing.Īssuming you do need to install npm and Node (and if you don’t, you’re welcome to skip ahead to the next section), we’re going to take the advice of the official NPM directions and do so via a program called nvm.

If npm or Node is not currently installed, you’ll see a message along the lines of “Command not found” instead. Either way, the fact that you see a version number confirms that npm is installed on your system! Let me stress that the numbers themselves are unimportant, just as long as we get some version number. Your version may be different, of course. If Node is installed, the command line will respond with the Node version number that is currently installed: v16.9.1 That command displays the current version of Node-that is, if it is installed. Ready? Start with this command (notice we’re not including the $ character in these examples): node -v

How the Heck Do You Install an Existing npm Project?īefore installing npm, we should confirm whether it’s already installed! If you’re unsure whether or not npm is already installed on your system, open your terminal of choice, whether it’s the Terminal app in MacOS, the integrated terminal in a code editor like VS Code, or some other terminal where you have access to the command line.

How the Heck Do You Install npm Packages?.

How the Heck Do You Install npm? (You are here!).

To that end, we’re going to make sure we have Node and npm installed, then make a little sample project to give you real hands-on experience working with the npm basics and what it looks like to use npm in your front-end development workflow. Feel like you have a pretty good idea of what a package manager is? We’ve certainly covered a lot of ground getting familiar with all the terms and concepts of package managers, but I’d say it’s high time we actually do something with our newfound knowledge.

Nvm command