Where Does nvm Store Node Versions?
nvm home directory with installed Node versions, aliases and cache on Linux and macOS.
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nvm installs every Node version under its own directory in your home folder, with shims, aliases and download cache alongside. Projects pin versions through .nvmrc files that nvm reads on use.
The whole tree is disposable by design: reinstalling nvm never touches project code. Back up the directory to skip redownloading toolchains on a new machine.
Where nvm stores this, by platform
~/.nvm
Versions live under versions/node with aliases and cache next door. The directory grows large with many versions, so prune with nvm uninstall. Copy it to migrate toolchains, or reinstall fresh and let .nvmrc files drive setup.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a project's Node version automatically?
Run nvm use in the project folder to read .nvmrc. Add a shell hook to switch versions on directory change.
Where is the global npm root for an nvm Node?
Under the version's lib/node_modules inside ~/.nvm/versions. Each Node version keeps its own globals, which is why they vanish on version switch.
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