nvm download snippet fails on first run

[MikeMcC399]

URL:

https://nodejs.org/en/download

Browser Name:

Google Chrome

Browser Version:

132.0.6834.159 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Operating System:

Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS

How to reproduce the issue:

Steps

Copy and run the download instructions from https://nodejs.org/en/download for Linux using nvm with npm:

# Download and install nvm:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# Download and install Node.js:
nvm install 22

# Verify the Node.js version:
node -v # Should print "v22.13.1".
nvm current # Should print "v22.13.1".

# Verify npm version:
npm -v # Should print "10.9.2".

Expectation

The snippet should run without error.

There should at least be a warning in the snippet source that you will need to close and re-open the terminal window in order to use nvm.

Alternatively the snippet would need to be split into three steps: install nvm / close and re-open terminal / run commands using nvm

Actual

Command 'nvm' not found, but there are 14 similar ones.

Full log:

$ # Download and install nvm:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# Download and install Node.js:
nvm install 22

# Verify the Node.js version:
node -v # Should print "v22.13.1".
nvm current # Should print "v22.13.1".

# Verify npm version:
npm -v # Should print "10.9.2".
  % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current
                                 Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
100 16563  100 16563    0     0  50495      0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 50651
=> Downloading nvm from git to '/home/mike/.nvm'
=> Cloning into '/home/mike/.nvm'...
remote: Enumerating objects: 380, done.
remote: Counting objects: 100% (380/380), done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (323/323), done.
remote: Total 380 (delta 43), reused 178 (delta 29), pack-reused 0 (from 0)
Receiving objects: 100% (380/380), 382.75 KiB | 3.11 MiB/s, done.
Resolving deltas: 100% (43/43), done.
* (HEAD detached at FETCH_HEAD)
  master
=> Compressing and cleaning up git repository

=> Appending nvm source string to /home/mike/.bashrc
=> Appending bash_completion source string to /home/mike/.bashrc
=> Close and reopen your terminal to start using nvm or run the following to use it now:

export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion
Command 'nvm' not found, but there are 14 similar ones.
Command 'node' not found, but can be installed with:
sudo apt install nodejs
Command 'nvm' not found, but there are 14 similar ones.
Command 'npm' not found, but can be installed with:
sudo apt install npm

[AugustinMauroy]

cc @ljharb

[ljharb]

=> Close and reopen your terminal to start using nvm or run the following to use it now:

Did you restart your shell before trying it?

[MikeMcC399]

@ljharb

Sorry, I think there is a misunderstanding about what I was asking for.

Clicking on "Copy to clipboard" and running the script fails the first time.
After closing the terminal window and running the script again it works.

So, yes I did restart the shell before trying it the second time.

I am suggesting to improve the instructions for the benefit of other users, so it warns upfront that closing and re-opening the terminal is necessary, instead of relying on the instruction in the middle of the log.

The reason that I am asking for this is because I have linked the Cypress instructions Installing Node.js to https://nodejs.org/en/download/ and I would like to have users have the best experience possible when following written instructions.

I wasn't requesting help to get it working for me personally. I was asking for a documentation change.

[ljharb]

ahhh gotcha, thanks for the clarification. yes, these instructions will fail due to the "restart the shell" requirement. I'll update them.

[MikeMcC399]

@ljharb

ahhh gotcha, thanks for the clarification. yes, these instructions will fail due to the "restart the shell" requirement. I'll update them.

• You've gone one better in download: fix nvm instructions #7434 and started nvm directly. That will be ideal 🙂 !

[ljharb]

reverted, reopening