Install Node.js & npm: Required for MCP Setup
Node.js 18 or higher is required on the machine running your AI client. Learn how to install it on Windows, macOS, and Linux in three steps.
Node.js 18 or higher must be installed on the machine where you run your AI client. It does not need to be on your WordPress server. SproutOS uses npx to download and run the MCP connector that links your AI client to your site. Without Node.js, that command will fail. This guide gets you set up in three steps.
Step 1: Check if Node.js is already installed
Open a terminal and run:
node --version
npm --version
If both commands return version numbers, Node.js is already installed. If Node.js is version 18 or higher, skip to the Quick Start. If the commands return an error or an older version, continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Install Node.js & npm
Download the official installer from the Node.js website. It installs both Node.js and npm in one step.
Choose the LTS version. LTS stands for Long-Term Support. It is the stable release recommended for most users. After the installer finishes, restart your terminal before continuing.
Option A: Official installer
Run the .msi installer and follow the prompts. Restart your terminal after installation.
Option B: winget
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
Run this in PowerShell or Command Prompt. Restart your terminal after installation.
Option A: Homebrew
brew install node
If you do not have Homebrew installed, use Option B instead.
Option B: Official installer
Run the .pkg installer and follow the prompts. Restart your terminal after installation.
Ubuntu / Debian:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm -y
Fedora / RHEL:
sudo dnf install nodejs npm -y
Restart your terminal after installation.
Step 3: Verify the installation
Open a new terminal window and run:
node --version
npm --version
You should see version numbers similar to these:
v20.11.0
10.2.4
Node.js must be version 18 or higher. If the version is lower, re-run the installer and select the LTS version.
If the commands still return "not found" after installing, close all terminal windows and open a fresh one. The installer updates your system PATH, and the old terminal session may not reflect that change.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Node.js runs on your local machine. That is the same computer where you use your AI client. Your WordPress server only needs WordPress 6.9+ and PHP 8.0+.
Node.js 18 or higher. The LTS version from nodejs.org always meets this requirement.
npm stands for Node Package Manager. It is installed automatically alongside Node.js. SproutOS uses npx, a tool included with npm, to run the MCP connector package. You do not need to install anything separately.
Download the latest LTS installer from nodejs.org and run it. The installer replaces the older version. After installing, restart your terminal and run node --version to confirm.
No. Both Homebrew and the official installer install the same Node.js runtime. Use whichever you already have set up on your machine.