# npm Install Requirements - [Node.js version](#nodejs-version) - [Ubuntu, Debian](#ubuntu-debian) - [Fedora, CentOS, RHEL](#fedora-centos-rhel) - [Alpine](#alpine) - [macOS](#macos) - [FreeBSD](#freebsd) - [Windows](#windows) - [Installing](#installing) - [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) - [Issues with Node.js after version upgrades](#issues-with-nodejs-after-version-upgrades) - [Debugging install issues with npm](#debugging-install-issues-with-npm) If you're installing code-server via `npm`, you'll need to install additional dependencies required to build the native modules used by VS Code. This article includes installing instructions based on your operating system. > **WARNING**: Do not use `yarn` to install code-server. Unlike `npm`, it does not respect > lockfiles for distributed applications. It will instead use the latest version > available at installation time - which might not be the one used for a given > code-server release, and [might lead to unexpected behavior](https://github.com/coder/code-server/issues/4927). ## Node.js version We use the same major version of Node.js shipped with Code's remote, which is currently `18.x`. VS Code also [lists Node.js requirements](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/wiki/How-to-Contribute#prerequisites). Using other versions of Node.js [may lead to unexpected behavior](https://github.com/coder/code-server/issues/1633). ## Ubuntu, Debian ```bash sudo apt-get install -y \ build-essential \ pkg-config \ python3 npm config set python python3 ``` Proceed to [installing](#installing) ## Fedora, CentOS, RHEL ```bash sudo yum groupinstall -y 'Development Tools' sudo yum config-manager --set-enabled PowerTools # unnecessary on CentOS 7 sudo yum install -y python2 npm config set python python2 ``` Proceed to [installing](#installing) ## Alpine ```bash apk add alpine-sdk bash libstdc++ libc6-compat npm config set python python3 ``` Proceed to [installing](#installing) ## macOS ```bash xcode-select --install ``` Proceed to [installing](#installing) ## FreeBSD ```sh pkg install -y git python npm-node18 pkgconf pkg install -y libinotify ``` Proceed to [installing](#installing) ## Windows Installing code-server requires all of the [prerequisites for VS Code development](https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/wiki/How-to-Contribute#prerequisites). When installing the C++ compiler tool chain, we recommend using "Option 2: Visual Studio 2019" for best results. Next, install code-server with: ```bash npm install --global code-server code-server # Now visit http://127.0.0.1:8080. Your password is in ~/.config/code-server/config.yaml ``` A `postinstall.sh` script will attempt to run. Select your terminal (e.g., Git bash) as the default shell for npm run-scripts. If an additional dialog does not appear, run the install command again. If the `code-server` command is not found, you'll need to [add a directory to your PATH](https://www.architectryan.com/2018/03/17/add-to-the-path-on-windows-10/). To find the directory, use the following command: ```shell npm config get prefix ``` For help and additional troubleshooting, see [#1397](https://github.com/coder/code-server/issues/1397). ## Installing After adding the dependencies for your OS, install the code-server package globally: ```bash npm install --global code-server code-server # Now visit http://127.0.0.1:8080. Your password is in ~/.config/code-server/config.yaml ``` ## Troubleshooting If you need further assistance, post on our [GitHub Discussions page](https://github.com/coder/code-server/discussions). ### Issues with Node.js after version upgrades Occasionally, you may run into issues with Node.js. If you install code-server using `npm`, and you upgrade your Node.js version, you may need to reinstall code-server to recompile native modules. Sometimes, you can get around this by navigating into code-server's `lib/vscode` directory and running `npm rebuild` to recompile the modules. A step-by-step example of how you might do this is: 1. Install code-server: `brew install code-server` 2. Navigate into the directory: `cd /usr/local/Cellar/code-server//libexec/lib/vscode/` 3. Recompile the native modules: `npm rebuild` 4. Restart code-server ### Debugging install issues with npm To debug installation issues, install with `npm`: ```shell # Uninstall npm uninstall --global code-server > /dev/null 2>&1 # Install with logging npm install --loglevel verbose --global code-server ```