---
title: Installing nvm
order: 15
---
FreeSewing is built with [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/), a JavaScript runtime.
You'll need to install Node.js on your system, and to do so, we'll
use [`nvm`](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm), short for _Node Version Manager_.
Using `nvm` has a number of benefits in comparison with installing Node.js from
the Node.js website, or from a package that came with macOS.
- You can easily switch between different Node.js versions
- Everything gets installed in your home folder, avoiding permission problems
To setup `nvm`, [follow the install instructions in the nvm
README](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm#installing-and-updating).
After the installation, try running the following command:
```bash
nvm
```
If all goes well, it should show you the `nvm` help.
:::tip
If you get `nvm: command not found` or something similar, close the current terminal
window, and open a new one. Now `nvm` should be found.
:::
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