How to Install Node.js and npm on Debian 11

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment for developing server-side applications.

Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that makes it lightweight and efficient, perfect for data-intensive real-time applications that run across distributed devices.

Here, we will see how to install Node.js on Debian 11.

Install Node.js on Debian

You can install Node.js using NodeSource, NVM, and Debian repository. So, follow any one of the methods you think is easier to install Node.js.

You may need to install the curl package before proceeding further.

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y curl

Install Node.js using NodeSource

Nodesource is a leading commercial enterprise software company with a mission to build and support a sustainable open source community around Node.js, JavaScript, and NPM.

At the time of writing this article, the below versions of Node.js is available for user. You can visit the official page to find the supported Node.js versions.

• v14.x (Active LTS)
• v12.x (Maintenance LTS)
• v16.x (Latest Version)

v14.x (LTS)

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt install -y nodejs

v12.x (LTS)

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt install -y nodejs

v16.x

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_16.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt install -y nodejs

Install Node.js using NVM

nvm is a version manager for Node.js, and it helps us install Node.js per user and invokes it per shell. Also, it allows you to install and use multiple versions of node.js in parallel.

Install nvm by running the below command.

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash

Once the nvm is installed, exit the current session and log in back to use the nvm command.

Use the below command to verify the nvm installation.

nvm -v

Output:

0.38.0

Now, you can use the nvm command to install the latest stable version of Node.js, the latest LTS version, a specific version of Node.js.

# Latest Stable Version

nvm install node

# Latest LTS Version

nvm install --lts

# Specific Version

nvm install 12.22.5

Install Node.js using Debian Repository

Node.js is also available in the Debian repository, and you can install it along with npm (Node Package Manager)using the below command.

Node.js v12.x (LTS) and npm v7.5.x are available in the Debian OS repository when writing this article.

sudo apt install -y nodejs npm

Check Node.js Installation

Check the Node.js version using the following command.

node -v

Output: (NodeJS v14.x)

v14.17.5

Check the npm version.

npm -v

Output:

6.14.14

Install Build Tools

You will need to install development tools to compile and install native addons from npm.

sudo apt install -y build-essential

Conclusion

That’s All. I hope you have learned how to install Node.js on Debian 11.