Install Node.js and npm using Homebrew on OS X and macOS

Use Homebrew to install and update Node.js on Mac

If you’re looking for an easy guide to install Node.js and npm on OS X and macOS — this is it.

Before we get started, are you listening to JS Party? If not, you should be! Maybe start with our episode all about best practices for Node developers. ✊

The default method for installing Node.js is to download a pre-built installer for your platform, install it and make sure it’s on your $PATH.

However, if you’re a Homebrew fan like me and prefer to install all of your packages with it — ensuring your packages are installed using the same commands and directories and allowing Homebrew to easily manage upgrades and updates — then this guide will help you get started.

Install Node.js and npm with Homebrew

First, install Homebrew.

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Then run brew update to make sure Homebrew is up to date.

brew update

As a safe measure you should run brew doctor to make sure your system is ready to brew. Run the command below and follow any recommendations from brew doctor.

brew doctor

Next, add Homebrew’s location to your $PATH in your .bash_profile or .zshrc file.

export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"

Next, install Node (npm will be installed with Node):

brew install node

To test out your Node and npm install, try installing Grunt (you might be asked to run with sudo):

npm install -g grunt-cli

If that worked then congratulations — you’ve installed Node.js, npm, and Grunt.

If not — retrace your steps or post a question to Stack Overflow.

Listen to related podcasts on The Changelog

Since you’re interested in Node.js, npm, and Homebrew — listen to some recent related podcasts we’ve done on those subjects.