Install Node.js

This is the most "developer-looking" step in the whole chapter. You'll paste a few commands into the terminal — it looks intimidating, but it's really just copying and pasting. The terminal does the work.

Your app is built with JavaScript, and Node.js lets you run it on your computer.

?Why Node.js and JavaScript?

To install Node.js cleanly, you'll use a small tool called mise (pronounced "meez") — think of it as an installer for developer tools.

If you have Homebrew, this is the easiest way:

brew install mise
?Install Homebrew

If you don't have Homebrew, use curl instead:

curl https://mise.run | sh

Follow any prompts shown in the terminal, then press Enter when needed.

Restart VS Code so the terminal picks up the new command.

Verify mise is installed:

mise -v

You should see a version number.

mise installed

Install Node.js with mise

Now use mise to install the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version of Node.js:

mise use -g node@lts
※

Node.js v24 is the active LTS version.

Verify it worked:

node -v

This should print a version number. Your runtime is ready — now let's bring your code down from GitHub.

If it prints command not found: node, you need to add the mise activation command to your shell profile.

Zsh:

echo 'eval "$(mise activate zsh)"' >> "${ZDOTDIR-$HOME}/.zshrc"