Node.js on macOS: A SUDBTECH Guide to Installing NVM with Homebrew

Managing multiple versions of Node.js is essential for many development workflows. With NVM (Node Version Manager), you can easily switch between Node.js versions based on your project requirements. In this blog post, we’ll walk through how to install NVM on your Mac using Homebrew.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• A Mac running macOS: These instructions are optimized for macOS users.
• Homebrew Installed: Homebrew is the popular package manager for macOS. If you haven’t installed it yet, follow the instructions in the next section.
• Basic Terminal Knowledge: Familiarity with the command line will help you follow along.

Step 1: Install Homebrew (If Not Already Installed)

Homebrew simplifies the installation of software on macOS. If you don’t have Homebrew installed, open your Terminal and run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

This command downloads and runs the Homebrew installation script. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Step 2: Install NVM via Homebrew

Once Homebrew is installed, you can install NVM with a single command:

brew install nvm

After the installation, create a directory for NVM files. This directory is where NVM will store different Node.js versions:

mkdir ~/.nvm

Step 3: Configure Your Shell

For NVM to work correctly, you need to add it to your shell’s configuration file. Since macOS defaults to the Z shell (zsh), open your ~/.zshrc file in a text editor. If you’re using a different shell, update the corresponding configuration file (e.g., ~/.bash_profile for bash).

Add the following lines to the file:

export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "$(brew --prefix nvm)/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$(brew --prefix nvm)/nvm.sh"  # This loads NVM

These lines do the following:

• Set the NVM_DIR environment variable to point to the NVM directory.
• Source the NVM script installed by Homebrew, making the nvm command available in your terminal.

After saving the changes, reload your shell configuration with:

source ~/.zshrc

This step ensures the new settings are applied immediately.

Step 4: Verify Your Installation

To confirm that NVM is installed correctly, run:

nvm --version

If the installation was successful, you should see the NVM version number printed in your terminal.

Step 5: Start Using NVM

With NVM installed, you can now easily manage different Node.js versions. For example:

• Install the latest LTS version of Node.js:

• nvm install --lts
  
  

• Install a specific Node.js version (e.g., version 16.15.0):

• nvm install 22.14.0
  
  

• Switch to a specific version:

• nvm use 22.14.0
  
  

These commands allow you to switch Node.js versions effortlessly, catering to different project requirements.

Troubleshooting Tips

• NVM Command Not Found:
  Ensure that you’ve correctly added the NVM lines to your shell configuration file and that you’ve reloaded the file with source ~/.zshrc (or the equivalent command for your shell).
• Directory Issues:
  Verify that the ~/.nvm directory exists. If not, create it manually using mkdir ~/.nvm.
• Homebrew Path:
  Sometimes, issues can arise if Homebrew isn’t in your shell’s PATH. Ensure Homebrew is properly set up by running brew doctor and following any recommended fixes.

Conclusion

Installing NVM using Homebrew on macOS is a straightforward process that greatly enhances your Node.js development workflow. By following the steps above, you can easily manage and switch between multiple Node.js versions on your Mac.

Feel free to share your experience or ask any questions in the comments below. Happy coding!