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Akadata Linux · Version 0 Saphira

Node.js and npm

Install Node packages globally with npm, run agents and MCP servers, and place applications behind nginx on Akadata Linux.

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Stack guide — Node.js

Node.js and npm

Node.js was included after careful consideration. Modern AI agents and development tooling (MCP servers, language‑server protocol clients, CLI agents) need a JavaScript runtime out of the box. Without Node.js they cannot run.

Install packages globally with npm:

npm install -g express
npm install -g pm2

Global installs go to /usr/local/lib/node_modules. Local project dependencies stay in node_modules/ inside your project directory.

Run a Node application:

node server.js

# Or with a process manager:
pm2 start server.js

Node applications sit behind nginx as a reverse proxy. Point nginx at the Node port and let it handle TLS, static files, and request routing.

We debated whether Node.js belonged on a minimal server distribution. The answer came from practical experience: when a server boots and needs to run agents immediately, installing Node first defeats the purpose of a from‑source distribution. It is included so agents work on first boot.