How to Install a Node.js Server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
This guide explains how to manually install a simple Node.js web server on an Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server. These are the same steps that our automated Ansible playbook performs behind the scenes.
Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes
Requirements:
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS VPS
- A user account with sudo privileges
- Internet connection
Step 1 - Update the Package List
Update your server's package list to ensure you install the latest software.
sudo apt update
Step 2 - Install Required Packages
Install the packages needed to add the official Node.js repository.
sudo apt install -y curl ca-certificates gnupg
Step 3 - Create the APT Keyrings Directory
Create the directory that stores repository signing keys.
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
Step 4 - Download the NodeSource GPG Key
Download the official NodeSource repository signing key.
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/gpgkey/nodesource-repo.gpg.key -o /tmp/nodesource.gpg
Step 5 - Convert the Key to a Keyring
Convert the downloaded key into a format Ubuntu uses.
sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/nodesource.gpg /tmp/nodesource.gpg
Step 6 - Add the NodeSource Repository
Create a new repository file.
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/nodesource.gpg] https://deb.nodesource.com/node_22.x nodistro main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nodesource.list
Step 7 - Update the Package List Again
Refresh the package list so Ubuntu knows about the new repository.
sudo apt update
Step 8 - Install Node.js
Install the latest Node.js package.
sudo apt install -y nodejs
Step 9 - Verify the Installation
Check the installed Node.js version.
node --version
Example output:
v20.20.2
Check the installed npm version.
npm --version
Step 10 - Create the Application Directory
Create a folder for your Node.js application.
sudo mkdir -p /opt/nodejs-app
Step 11 - Create package.json
Create the application's package file.
sudo nano /opt/nodejs-app/package.json
Paste the following:
{
"name": "nodejs-app",
"version": "1.0.0",
"main": "app.js"
}
Save the file.
Step 12 - Create the Application
Create the application source file.
sudo nano /opt/nodejs-app/app.js
Paste the following:
const http = require('http');
const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.writeHead(200, {
'Content-Type': 'text/html'
});
res.end(`Hello from Node.js!
This application was deployed manually.
Server: Ubuntu
Runtime: Node.js
`);
});
server.listen(3000, '0.0.0.0', () => {
console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});
Save the file.
Step 13 - Create the Systemd Service
Create a service so the application starts automatically.
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/nodejs-app.service
Paste the following:
[Unit]
Description=Node.js Application
After=network.target
[Service]
User=www-data
WorkingDirectory=/opt/nodejs-app
ExecStart=/usr/bin/node /opt/nodejs-app/app.js
Restart=always
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Save the file.
Step 14 - Reload Systemd
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
Step 15 - Enable the Service
sudo systemctl enable nodejs-app
Step 16 - Start the Service
sudo systemctl start nodejs-app
Step 17 - Verify the Service
sudo systemctl status nodejs-app
You should see:
Active: active (running)
Step 18 - Allow Port 3000 Through the Firewall
If UFW is enabled, allow traffic to the application.
sudo ufw allow 3000/tcp
sudo ufw reload
Step 19 - Test Locally
Verify the application is running.
curl http://127.0.0.1:3000
You should receive the HTML page.
Step 20 - Open the Website
Open your web browser and visit:
http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:3000
Replace YOUR_SERVER_IP with your VPS IP address.
Congratulations!
You have successfully installed a Node.js web server on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Your application is now running as a system service and will automatically start whenever the server reboots.
