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# 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)

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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.

## Node.js version

We use the same major version of Node.js shipped with VSCode's Electron,
which is currently `14.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/cdr/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-node14 yarn-node14 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
yarn global add code-server
# Or: npm install -g 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 application for .sh files. 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
yarn global bin
# Or: npm config get prefix
```

For help and additional troubleshooting, see [#1397](https://github.com/cdr/code-server/issues/1397).

## Installing

After adding the dependencies for your OS, install code-server package globally:

```bash
yarn global add code-server
# Or: npm install -g 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/cdr/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 `yarn` or `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/<version>/libexec/lib/vscode/`
3. Recompile the native modules: `npm rebuild`
4. Restart code-server