Chapter 2: Install Node.js

You won’t get far on your Node.js journey without installing the runtime first! You have three primary options:

  • Install Node.js on your local development machine running Linux, macOS, or Windows.

    This is the easiest choice, and the best way to get started—and it’s the option we’ll be taking here.

  • Install Node.js via a virtual machine (typically Linux) running on Hypervisor software such as VMware, VirtualBox, Parallels, or Hyper-V.

    This won’t affect your main OS, so you can experiment without risk.

    Windows users should also consider the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), which offers a highly integrated Linux environment. Follow the Linux instructions accordingly (found below in the “How to Install Node.js ...

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