How to Properly Upgrade Node Using NVM

Upgrading Node.js using NVM (Node Version Manager) is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

Steps to Upgrade Node.js with NVM

1. Check the current Node.js version: Run this command to check the version of Node.js currently in use:
node -v

2. List available Node.js versions: To see the latest available Node.js versions, use:
nvm ls-remote

This command will display a list of all available Node.js versions. Look for the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version or the latest stable version.

3. Install the desired Node.js version: Choose the version you want to upgrade to and install it. For example, to install the latest LTS version:
nvm install --lts
Alternatively, to install a specific version (e.g., 18.16.0):
nvm install 18.16.0

4. Set the default Node.js version: After installing, set the newly installed version as the default version for your shell:
nvm alias default

For example:
nvm alias default 18.16.0

5. Verify the new Node.js version: Check that the upgrade was successful:
node -v

6. Uninstall old versions (optional): If you want to free up space, you can remove older versions of Node.js that you no longer need:
nvm uninstall

For example:
nvm uninstall 16.20.0

Switching Between Versions

If you ever need to use a different version of Node.js, you can switch versions easily:
nvm use

For example:
nvm use 16.20.0

Tips:

• Always use the –lts flag if you want the most stable and recommended version.
• Ensure you have the latest version of NVM to avoid compatibility issues:

nvm --version

Update NVM if necessary by following its installation instructions in the NVM GitHub repository.

This process ensures you are using the right version of Node.js for your development environment without affecting global configurations.