How To Setup Node.js App in cPanel

Node.js is a popular, event-driven JavaScript runtime you can use to build robust web applications. If you are already familiar with creating Node.js apps, you may be wondering how to get your app onto a shared server, a hosting environment in which you are limited in customization. Node.js requires some configuration of your server environment. But now, you can use a virtual environment within your shared hosting environment that allows for the customization necessary to run your app. Learn how to set up a Node.js in cPanel below.

Note: The Setup Node.js tool is available on all shared server plans.

Setup Node.js App in cPanel

1. Log into cPanel
2. Choose Setup Node.js App under Software
   
3. Click Create Application (002)
   
4. Fill in the Application root field (this is the directory in which you will upload for application files)
5. Select your Application URL and startup file (if you do not name a startup file, app.js is used as the default)
6. Fill in the remaining fields with your preferred values
7. Click Create when ready

Enter The Virtual Environment Command Line

If necessary, you have the option of logging into your server via SSH and administering the app on the command line. For some users, it is considered preferable or faster to do some administrative work on the command line. With this cPanel feature, you can easily access the command line for your app and work in a safe, virtual environment.

Copy the “source” command listed above your app settings:

Once you have logged into the server via SSH, copy and paste the “source” command into the command prompt and hit ENTER.

You will then see that you have been logged into your Node virtual environment, seeing a command prompt similar to the following:

[example-node-root (10)] [[email protected] example-node-root]$ 

Stopping and Restarting Your App

You can also stop and restart your app whenever you may need it. This can be done easily from the cPanel interface.

1. Log into cPanel (as you did above)
2. Choose Setup Node.js App under Software
3. Select your app from the list of existing applications
4. Click to stop, restart, or edit your application under the Actions table
   

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Well done! You now know how to set up a Node.js app in your cPanel.