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JavaScript runtime

Node.js

A way to run JavaScript tools outside the browser. Its installer includes npm.

What it is for

Needed by some local React project toolchains, but not by the React exercises running inside these lessons.

Install it

  1. Use the official Node.js download and select a supported LTS release compatible with your project. Reopen the terminal after installation.

Official setup instructions ↗

Open it

  1. Open your React project folder in VS Code, then Terminal → New Terminal.

Check it is installed — then verify

Where · PowerShell

At the PowerShell prompt. Type the command, then press Enter. Tool guide

In a PowerShell terminal, check Node and npm. The .cmd form avoids confusing npm’s PowerShell script wrapper with the Windows command.

node --version
npm.cmd --version

What you should see: Both commands print versions.

Try one small thing

Where · VS Code · editor

Open the named file from VS Code’s Explorer sidebar. Edit the file, not the terminal. Tool guide

Open package.json in VS Code’s Explorer and find scripts. Follow the project README’s exact install and start commands in its terminal.

What you should see: You can identify which scripts the project actually provides. Not every project has a start script.

If something looks different

  1. No package.json: you may have opened the wrong folder.
  2. An in-page React example uses JSX and may rely on a lesson wrapper; use the complete source and project instructions rather than treating a fragment as an entire application.

Lessons using this tool

Some use it only for optional local practice. Each lesson explains what you actually need.

React · 31 lessons

Official help

Guide reviewed 2026-09-09. Menu labels can differ between versions.