Install Node.js

Install Node.js and npm to run Mordoc and build your documentation site.

2 MIN READ

Before you can run Mordoc, you need Node.js installed on your system. Don’t worry if this sounds technical at first. You don’t need to know how Node.js works internally to use Mordoc.

This page explains what Node.js and npm are in simple terms, and then walks you through installing them.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment that lets you run JavaScript programs on your computer.

It allows Mordoc to:

Run locally on your machine
Build your documentation website
Manage dependencies and tooling behind the scenes

You won’t be writing JavaScript or building applications. Node.js is just something Mordoc needs in order to work.

What is npm?

npm stands for Node Package Manager.

It comes bundled with Node.js and is used to:

Install tools and packages (like Mordoc)
Run predefined commands
Keep dependencies up to date

You don’t need to install npm separately. If Node.js is installed, npm is already included.

Download Node.js

Minimum version required

Mordoc requires Node.js version 24.18.1 or later. The LTS download below satisfies this requirement.

Visit the official Node.js website: https://nodejs.org
Download the LTS (Long Term Support) version. This is the recommended and most stable option.

Choose the installer for your operating system:

Windows: Download the Windows installer
macOS: Download the macOS installer
Linux: Use the official package for your distribution or follow the Linux installation instructions on the website

Install Node.js

Run the installer and follow the recommended options in the installation wizard.

For most users, the default settings are correct. You do not need to customize anything.

Verify the installation

After installation is complete, verify that Node.js is installed correctly.

Open your code editor
Open the built-in terminal
- In VS Code, you can open it from the menu: Terminal → New Terminal
Run the following command:
Bash
```
node -v
```

If Node.js is installed correctly, you should see a version number printed to the screen.

You can also verify npm by running:

Bash

npm -v

If the command is not found

If you see a message like command not found or node is not recognized, it usually means Node.js is not available in your system’s PATH.

On Windows, closing and reopening your terminal (or restarting your computer if that doesn't help) often resolves this
On macOS and Linux, this is rare when using the official installer

If the issue persists, reinstall Node.js using the official installer and make sure you accept the default options.

On a company-managed machine?

If neither of the above resolves it, Node.js may not have been added to your system PATH at all due to IT restrictions. Contact your IT administrator to have it added, or ask whether Node.js should be installed through your company's software center instead.

Next step

Install Git