Environment setup

Install Node.js with a version manager so you can switch versions per project. Node is required for everything else - the apps, the websites, and the Shopify CLI.

Why NVM

NVM (Node Version Manager) lets you install multiple Node.js versions on one machine and switch between them per project. Use nvm-windows on Windows; on macOS and Linux use the original nvm (see below).

The original nvm does not support Windows - Windows users need nvm-windows, which works the same way.

Before you install (Windows)

Uninstall any existing Node.js from Settings → Apps → Node.js.

Delete leftover folders if they exist:

C:\Program Files\nodejs
C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\npm

Install nvm-windows

Download nvm-setup.exe from the latest release:

https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases

Run the installer and follow the prompts - the default paths are fine.
It adds nvm to your PATH automatically.

Verify the install

Open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window and run:

nvm version

You should see a version like 1.2.2. If you get “command not recognized”, restart your PC and try again.

Install & switch Node versions

nvm install lts      # latest LTS (recommended)
nvm install 20       # a specific version
nvm use 20           # switch to it
nvm current          # show active version
nvm list             # list installed versions

On Windows, run the terminal as Administrator when using nvm use - nvm updates a symlink under C:\Program Files\ and will otherwise fail with “Access Denied”.

Confirm Node and npm work:

node -v
npm -v

macOS / Linux

On macOS and Linux, install the original nvm, then use the same install / use commands:

# install nvm (see the repo for the latest install line)
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# restart the terminal, then:
nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts
node -v && npm -v

Before running any install script from the internet, open the URL and read it first. Only run scripts from the official source (here, the nvm-sh/nvm repo).

Command cheatsheet

Command	Description
`nvm install lts`	Install latest LTS Node.js
`nvm install 20`	Install Node.js v20
`nvm use 20`	Switch to Node.js v20
`nvm list`	List installed versions
`nvm current`	Show active version
`nvm uninstall 18`	Remove Node.js v18