Install Node & NPM on Linux (Debian/Ubuntu, Arch, NixOS, Void

Install Node & NPM on Linux (Debian/Ubuntu, Arch, NixOS, Void - APT, Pacman, NVM)

Easierdocs Node.js Install Article Image

Using apt repository:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

Using NodeSource repository (recommended for latest versions):

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

sudo pacman -Sy nodejs npm

nix-shell -p nodejs

or system wide with:

/etc/nixos/configuration.nix

environment.systemPackages = [
    pkgs.nodejs
];

sudo xbps-install -S nodejs

Generic Linux Distros

Download the latest LTS version from the official Node.js site.

sudo rm -rf /usr/local/nodejs

tar -C /usr/local -xzf node-v20.12.2-linux-x64.tar.gz

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Change the file name according to the current version you downloaded.

Add /usr/local/nodejs/bin to the PATH environment variable:

echo 'export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/nodejs/bin' >> $HOME/.profile
source $HOME/.profile

node --version
npm --version

If these commands output the current versions, the installation was successful.

NVM allows you to install and manage multiple Node.js versions:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash
source $HOME/.bashrc
nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

This is the recommended approach for developers who need to work with different Node.js versions.

Last updated on December 30, 2025