How can the default node version be set using NVM?
Node Version Manager (NVM) allows you to install and switch between multiple Node.js versions easily. If you want a particular Node version to be the default whenever you open a new shell session or terminal, you can use nvm alias to set it. Below are the main steps:
1. Install or Update NVM (If Needed)
If you don’t have nvm installed:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.5/install.sh | bash
Check the NVM GitHub repo for the latest version and instructions.
2. Install Your Desired Node Version
For example, to install the latest LTS release:
nvm install --lts
Or install a specific version (e.g., 18.16.0):
nvm install 18.16.0
3. Set the Default Version with nvm alias
To make a certain version the default, use nvm alias default <version>.
Example A – Using the “latest” keyword:
nvm install node # Installs the latest current version nvm alias default node
Example B – Using a specific version:
nvm alias default 18.16.0
This tells nvm to use Node.js 18.16.0 automatically whenever you open a new terminal session.
4. Verify Your Default Version
Close and reopen your terminal (or run source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh) and then check the active Node version:
node -v
It should reflect whichever version you aliased as default.
5. Additional Tips
- Listing Installed Versions
Shows all Node versions installed on your system and indicates which one is currently in use.nvm ls - Switching Temporarily
Lets you switch to a different version in the current session without changing the default.nvm use <version> - Upgrading
If a new Node version is released, simply install it (nvm install <version>) and re-alias if you want that to become your new default.
With these steps, you’ll have a consistent Node.js version each time you open your terminal, ensuring smooth development workflows across different projects and sessions.