NVM Manager
A VS Code extension for nvm: see every installed Node.js version, switch the active one, and
let a project pin its version through .nvmrc — all without leaving the editor.
Works with nvm-windows on Windows and nvm-sh on macOS/Linux: switching repoints the global
nvm symlink on Windows and updates the integrated terminal environment on macOS/Linux.
Features
- Project view: the Node.js version a project declares and where it comes from (
.nvmrc,
.node-version, package.json engines.node), whether it matches the active version, and the
package manager — declared (packageManager / devEngines), detected from lockfiles, actually
in use, and whether it is available on PATH.
- Versions view in the activity bar: installed versions with the active one marked, plus an
Available list (
nvm list available / nvm ls-remote) you can install from.
- Switch in one click from the tree, the status bar, or the command palette
(
NVM: Switch Node.js Version...).
- Active version in the status bar — click it to switch.
- Auto-switch per project: reads
.nvmrc, then .node-version, then package.json
engines.node, resolves it against the installed list (22, v22.16.0, 22.16, lts/*,
node) and switches.
- Global and per-project toggles in the sidebar Settings panel:
- global auto-switch,
- project override (inherits the global value until you change it),
- "ask when off" — prompt before switching when auto-switch is disabled.
- Manage versions: install, uninstall and copy a version from the context menu.
Requirements
- Windows: nvm-windows installed and
nvm
available. Auto-detects nvm.exe from NVM_HOME, then PATH, or set nvmManager.nvmPath.
- macOS / Linux: nvm-sh installed. Auto-detects
NVM_DIR
or ~/.nvm, or set nvmManager.nvmDir. Switching applies to VS Code's integrated terminals.
Installation
- From the Visual Studio Marketplace,
or from the Command Palette (
Ctrl+P / Cmd+P): ext install jenesei-software.nvm-manager.
- Or install a local build: Extensions view →
... → Install from VSIX....
Getting started
- Open the NVM Manager icon in the activity bar.
- The Versions view lists what is installed; the active version has a green check.
- Click a version (or the status bar item) to switch. On macOS/Linux, open a new integrated
terminal to pick up the change.
- Open Settings in the same container to configure auto-switch.
To pin a project version, add .nvmrc at the repository root:
22.16.0
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
Scope |
Description |
nvmManager.autoSwitch |
false |
resource |
Auto-switch the active version from .nvmrc / .node-version / package.json. Set globally or per workspace. |
nvmManager.askWhenAutoSwitchOff |
true |
window |
Ask before switching when auto-switch is disabled. |
nvmManager.nvmPath |
"" |
machine-overridable |
Windows only. Absolute path to nvm.exe. Empty means auto-detect. |
nvmManager.nvmDir |
"" |
machine-overridable |
macOS / Linux only. Path to NVM_DIR. Empty means auto-detect. |
When auto-switch is on, opening a workspace silently switches to the pinned version. When it is
off and Ask when off is on, a notification offers Switch and Always for this project.
Commands
| Command |
Description |
NVM: Refresh |
Reload the installed list and the active version. |
NVM: Switch Node.js Version... |
Pick a version from a quick pick. |
NVM: Refresh Available Versions |
Reload nvm list available. |
NVM: Toggle Auto-switch (Global) |
Flip the global auto-switch setting. |
NVM: Toggle Auto-switch (This Project) |
Flip the project override. |
Support the project
NVM Manager is free and open source. If it is useful to you:
- ⭐ Star the repository — it helps other people find it.
- ☕ DonationAlerts — a one-time donation keeps the project alive.
License
Released under the MIT License.
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