Is Node.js required for Next.js?

Yes, Node.js is mandatory for Next.js because it is used to create projects, install dependencies, and run the development server.

How do I run a Next.js project?

After creating the project, open the terminal, navigate to the project folder, and run npm run dev. Then open localhost:3000 in the browser.

Which Node.js version is best for Next.js?

The latest LTS version of Node.js is recommended for Next.js development.

How to Install Next.js on Windows Step by Step (2026 Beginner Guide)

Important Requirement

Node.js is mandatory to install Next.js.
Next.js runs on Node.js and uses npm to install dependencies and start the development server.

👉 Node.js Website Tutorial: View Guide
👉 Node.js Video Tutorial: Watch Video

What you will learn

You will learn how to check Node.js, create a Next.js project using CMD, understand configuration options, open the project in VS Code, run npm run dev, and verify successful installation.

Video Tutorial

Step 0: Check Node.js & npm

Open CMD and verify Node.js and npm are installed correctly.

node -v

npm -v

Step 1: Create Next.js Project

Go to your preferred folder (Desktop recommended for beginners) and create the project.

cd Desktop

npx create-next-app@latest my-next-project

Step 2: Configuration Options

TypeScript → Optional
ESLint → Recommended
Tailwind CSS → Optional
App Router → Recommended
Import Alias → Recommended

Step 3: Open Project in VS Code

cd my-next-project

code .

Step 4: Run Development Server

Start the Next.js development server.

npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser.

Step 5: Verify Installation

If you see the Next.js welcome page, installation is successful 🎉