node-version-use

node-version-use

Cross-platform solution for using multiple versions of Node.js. Transparent version switching via command interception.

Installation

npm install -g node-version-use
export PATH="$HOME/.nvu/bin:$PATH"  # Add to shell profile
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Quick Start

nvu default 20           # Set global default
nvu local 18             # Set project version (.nvmrc)
node --version           # Uses v20 (or v18 in project)
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Commands

nvu default 20           # Global default
nvu default system       # Use system Node
nvu local 18             # Project version (.nvmrc)
nvu install 22           # Install Node
nvu uninstall 22         # Uninstall Node
nvu list                 # List installed
nvu 22 npm run test      # Run with specific version
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How It Works

~/.nvu/bin/              # Go binary shims (node, npm, npx, nvu, ...)
  ↓
~/.nvu/default          # Contains "22", "20", or "system"
  ↓
~/.nvu/installed/v22/   # Real Node.js installation
  └── bin/node          # Actual Node binary
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Key design decisions:

1. Strict routing - Each command routes to exactly one version (the default)
2. npm compatibility - Uses npm_config_prefix so npm behaves normally
3. System escape hatch - nvu system npm ... bypasses version routing
4. Version-specific packages - Global npm packages live in the version's directory

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reinstall nvu if it's missing?

nvu system npm install -g node-version-use
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This bypasses version routing entirely.

Are global npm packages shared across versions?

No. Each Node version has its own lib/node_modules/. Install separately:

nvu 22 npm install -g some-package
nvu 20 npm install -g some-package
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Can I use system Node?

nvu default system
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Routes all commands to system binaries via PATH.

Why not search all installed versions for binaries?

Explicit is better than implicit. You know exactly which version runs. Use nvu <version> <command> for specific versions.

How nvu Differs from Other Version Managers

Feature	nvu	nvm	Volta
Command routing	Go binary shim	Shell function	npm shim
Default version	Global or per-project	Global	Per-project (package.json)
Global packages	Version-specific	Shared (via symlinks)	Pin to version
System Node	nvu default system	nvm use system	volta off
Recovery when broken	nvu system npm ...	Reinstall nvm	Reinstall volta

nvu uses a single Go binary that intercepts commands. Simple, predictable routing.

nvm is a shell function that changes $NODE_HOME environment variable.

Volta pins packages to specific Node versions in package.json and uses npm shims.

JavaScript API

const nvu = require('node-version-use');
const results = await nvu('>=0.8', 'node', ['--version'], { stdio: 'inherit' });
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Uninstall

nvu teardown           # Remove ~/.nvu/bin
rm -rf ~/.nvu          # Remove all data
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Compatibility

• macOS (arm64, x64)
• Linux (arm64, x64)
• Windows (arm64, x64)

Compatible with .nvmrc files from nvm, fnm, and other tools.