#0 How to install Node-RED

Node-RED is an open-source programming tool, based in NodeJS, to develop applications in order to interact with different hardware's. Also, Node-RED provides a browser editor that makes it easier to program and configure your own applications.

See more information about Node-RED in the official website:

Node-RED website >>

How to install Node-RED

The first step of this course will be how to install Node-RED on your personal computer. Node-RED 4.x needs Node.js 18 or later; we recommend Node.js 22 LTS with npm.

You may need to run:

sudo apt install build-essential git curl

First to ensure npm is able to fetch and build any binary modules it needs to install.

At the Node-RED website, there is provided a script to install Node.js, npm and Node-RED, that works on any Debian-based operating system, including Ubuntu and Diet-Pi. The script can also be used to upgrade an existing install when a new release is available:

bash <(curl -sL https://github.com/node-red/linux-installers/releases/latest/download/install-update-nodered-deb)

Running the command above will download and run the script. If you want to review the contents of the script first, you can view it on Github:

https://github.com/node-red/linux-installers

Windows OS

Install Node.js 22 LTS from nodejs.org, then type in the command prompt:

npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red

On Linux or macOS, type in the terminal:

sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red

More details in the official installation guide: nodered.org/docs/getting-started. Commands reviewed for Node-RED 4.x and Node.js 20/22 LTS (October 2026).

Once you have installed the Node-RED you are able to proceed with the next chapter of the course.