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Sunil Pradhan
Sunil Pradhan

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How to Install Node.js on Linux Mint (Step-by-Step Guide)

#linux #linuxmint #learning

If you're a web developer using Linux Mint, you'll eventually need to install Node.js to work with modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Next.js, Angular, or Vue.

One of the first questions many beginners ask is:

Does Linux Mint come with Node.js preinstalled?

The answer is No. Linux Mint does not include Node.js or npm by default. You need to install it manually.

In this guide, I'll show you the different ways to install Node.js on Linux Mint and explain which method I recommend for developers.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine. It allows you to run JavaScript outside the browser and is widely used for:

  • Building web applications
  • Creating APIs and backend services
  • Running development tools like Vite and Webpack
  • Working with frameworks such as React, Next.js, and Angular

Check Whether Node.js Is Already Installed

Before installing Node.js, open the terminal and run:

node -v
npm -v
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If Node.js is installed, you'll see something like:

v24.4.1
11.5.1
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If you receive:

Command 'node' not found

then Node.js is not installed on your system.

Method 1: Install Node.js Using NVM (Recommended)

For developers, this is the best method because it allows you to install and switch between multiple Node.js versions.

Step 1: Update the package list

sudo apt update
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Step 2: Install Curl

sudo apt install curl -y
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What does this command do?

  • sudo – Runs the command with administrator privileges.
  • apt – Linux Mint's package manager.
  • install – Installs a package.
  • curl – A command-line tool used to download files from the internet.
  • -y – Automatically answers "Yes" to installation prompts.

Step 3: Install NVM (Node Version Manager)

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.5/install.sh | bash
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Replace the version number if a newer NVM version is available. This command downloads the NVM installation script and immediately executes it.

Step 4: Reload Your Shell

For Bash users:

source ~/.bashrc
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For Zsh users:

source ~/.zshrc
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Alternatively, you can close and reopen the terminal.

Step 5: Verify NVM Installation

nvm --version
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Example output:

0.40.5
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Step 6: Install the Latest LTS Version of Node.js

nvm install --lts
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Step 7: Verify Node.js Installation

node -v
npm -v
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Example:

v24.18.0
11.16.0
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Install a Specific Version of Node.js

For example, to install Node.js 22:

nvm install 22
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Use that version:

nvm use 22
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Set it as the default:

nvm alias default 22
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List All Installed Node.js Versions

nvm list
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Example output:

List All Installed Node.js Versions

Method 2: Install Node.js Using APT

Linux Mint also allows you to install Node.js directly from its repositories.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm
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Verify:

node -v
npm -v
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Pros

  • Very easy to install.
  • Good for beginners.

Cons

  • Usually provides an older version of Node.js.
  • Not suitable if you need multiple versions.

Method 3: Install Node.js Using NodeSource

Install the NodeSource repository:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
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Install Node.js:

sudo apt install nodejs
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Verify:

node -v
npm -v
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Pros

  • Provides newer versions than the default Linux Mint repository.

Cons

  • Doesn't manage multiple versions like NVM.

My Recommendation

As a front-end developer working with React and Next.js, I prefer using NVM because different projects often require different Node.js versions.

With NVM, switching between versions is easy:

nvm install 20
nvm install 22
nvm use 20
nvm use 22
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This flexibility makes NVM the ideal choice for developers using Linux Mint.

Final Thoughts

Linux Mint does not come with Node.js preinstalled, but installing it is straightforward.

If you're a beginner, the APT method is simple and works well.

If you're a developer, especially one working with modern JavaScript frameworks, I highly recommend installing Node.js using NVM. It gives you complete control over Node.js versions and makes managing projects much easier.

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