Free setup guide · 10 minutes

Set up Node.js

Install Node.js and check that it is version 22.12 or higher. Works on Windows, macOS and Linux.

What is Node.js?

Node.js runs JavaScript on your computer, outside the browser. Think of a kitchen stove. A recipe is just text until a stove cooks it. Node.js is the stove for JavaScript.

Node.js comes with npm, a tool that downloads code packages for you. Shopify CLI, the tool you use to build themes and apps, runs on Node.js.

You need	Version
Node.js	22.12 or higher. The course uses the version marked LTS, 24 today.
npm	Comes with Node.js. Nothing extra to install.

Step 1: Open a terminal

A terminal is a window where you type commands instead of clicking.

Press the Windows key.
Type PowerShell.
Click Windows PowerShell.

Press Cmd + Space.
Type Terminal.
Press Enter.

Check: A window opens with a blinking cursor, waiting for you to type.

Step 2: Check if Node.js is already installed

Terminal

node --version

On our Windows computer, Node.js was already installed. This is the real output:

Output

v22.23.1

You see v22.12 or higher (like v22.23.1 or v24.x): you are done. Go to Step 4.
You see a lower number (like v18 or v20): install the new version in Step 3.
You see an error like node : The term 'node' is not recognized or command not found: install it in Step 3.

Step 3: Install Node.js

Always pick the version marked LTS. LTS means "long term support": it gets fixes for years, so it is the safe choice.

Open nodejs.org/en/download (opens in a new tab).
Pick the version marked LTS.
Click Windows Installer (.msi).
Open the downloaded file.
Click Next on each screen and keep the default options.
Click Install, then Finish.

The Node.js site gives these commands. They use nvm, a small tool that installs Node.js for you.

Terminal

# Download and install nvm:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.8/install.sh | bash

# in lieu of restarting the shell
\. "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"

# Download and install Node.js:
nvm install 24

Many lines scroll by. Wait until the prompt comes back.

Check: Node.js appears in your list of installed apps.

Step 4: Check Node.js and npm

Close every terminal window first. Then open a new one, so it can see the new install.

Terminal

node --version
npm --version

The real output on our Windows computer:

Output

v22.23.1
10.9.8

Your numbers may be higher. That is fine.

Check: The first line is v22.12 or higher, and the second line shows an npm version.

Common problems

node is not recognized

Why: The terminal was open before you installed Node.js, so it does not know about it yet.

Fix: Close every terminal and VS Code window, then open a new one. On Windows, restart the computer if it still fails.

node --version shows an old number

Why: An older Node.js was installed before.

Fix: Install the LTS version from Step 3 again. The installer replaces the old one.

npm says "running scripts is disabled" on Windows

Why: PowerShell blocks some scripts by default.

Fix: Run this once in PowerShell, then try again:

PowerShell

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Next step

Node.js is ready. Now set up Git, then go back to your lesson.