Infrastructure

Node.js

The original server-side JavaScript runtime. V8 under the hood, npm ecosystem, and the default backend runtime for most production deployments.

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Node.js is the runtime that made server-side JavaScript a thing. It is built on V8, ships with npm, and powers the majority of production JavaScript backends. Recent versions added a native test runner, a stable watch mode, and built-in TypeScript support via type stripping. Node remains the safest default: it is what your hosting provider runs, what your dependencies expect, and what your team probably already knows. The trade-off versus Bun and Deno is raw speed and out-of-the-box ergonomics.

runtime javascript typescript v8

Node.js at a glance

Last verified October 17, 2026

Pricing: Free and open source (MIT)
Install: curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.8/install.sh | bash
nvm install 24
Models: Not an AI model runner: a JavaScript runtime built on V8 that ships with npm. The download page installs the 24.x LTS by default, and starting with Node.js 27 the release cycle becomes annual, with every major moving to LTS after its Current phase.
Recent changes: Oct 21Scheduled: security releases for the 26.x, 24.x, and 22.x lines, with the highest severity rated HIGH.
Oct 14v26.12.0 adds http websocketMask() and websocketUnmask(), marks the config file as stable, loads most ES modules synchronously, and moves process.finalization to release candidate.
Oct 14v24.22.0 LTS released.

Sources: Download Node.js, Node.js 26.12.0 release notes, October 2026 security releases, Node.js releases and schedule, Node.js release index, nodejs/node LICENSE

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The original server-side JavaScript runtime. V8 under the hood, npm ecosystem, and the default backend runtime for most production deployments.

Try Node.js

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