Node.js in AL2027

AL2027 includes Node.js 24. For more information about the runtime, see the Node.js website. Amazon Linux follows the upstream Node.js support schedule on the GitHub website. To check the support status of a specific Node.js version, see the Package support information page.

Amazon Linux namespaces all supported Node.js versions so that you can install them on the same system at the same time. Namespacing makes each Node.js installation unique within the file system. To do this, Amazon Linux renames key directories and files based on the runtime version. The resulting executable names look like node-{MAJOR_VERSION} or npm-{MAJOR_VERSION}.

Only one Node.js version can be active at a time. The active version provides the default directory and file names, such as node, npm, or /usr/lib/node_modules, and points them to the currently active runtime. The alternatives tool provides this capability.

The default executable names are virtual and can change at any time to point to a different installed Node.js version. This flexibility lets software that uses node in the shebang select the desired version when invoked. When you need a specific version of Node.js, call the namespaced executable, for example node-24. A namespaced executable always uses the version of the runtime that its name specifies. The namespaced executables of the npm tool, such as npm-24, always use the corresponding Node.js version, regardless of the currently active runtime.

Amazon Linux distributes Node.js as several namespaced packages that begin with nodejs{MAJOR_VERSION}. These packages provide node, a compatible version of the npm tool, documentation, libraries, and more. For example, the nodejs24 and nodejs24-npm packages provide node and npm for Node.js 24.

The alternatives tool provides a single command for switching between Node.js versions. By default, alternatives runs in auto mode and uses priorities to determine the active Node.js version. However, you can activate any installed version at any time. All supported versions of Node.js currently have equal priority, so Amazon Linux activates the first version that you install.