In this guide, you will learn how to install React on Linux, how to install Node.js and npm, how to create a React application using Vite, how to run the development server, and how to build your React application for production.

React is one of the most popular JavaScript libraries for building modern, fast, and interactive user interfaces. If you are using Linux and want to start learning React development, setting up a React project is straightforward.

This tutorial works well for beginners using Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, and other Debian-based Linux distributions.

What You Need Before Installing React

React runs on top of the JavaScript ecosystem, so you need Node.js and npm before creating a React project.

You will need:

Linux operating system
Terminal
Node.js
npm
Basic JavaScript knowledge
A code editor such as Visual Studio Code

For modern React projects, Vite is a recommended way to create a new React application.

Step 1: Open the Linux Terminal

First, open your Linux terminal.

On Ubuntu, you can usually press:

Ctrl + Alt + T

You can also open the Terminal from the applications menu.

Before installing anything, update your package list:

sudo apt update

You can also upgrade existing packages:

sudo apt upgrade

The upgrade step is optional.

Step 2: Check Whether Node.js Is Already Installed

Run:

node -v

Then check npm:

npm -v

If you see version numbers such as:

v20.x.x

and:

10.x.x

Node.js and npm are already installed.

If you get an error such as:

node: command not found

you need to install Node.js.

Step 3: Install Node.js on Linux

There are several ways to install Node.js on Linux.

For React development, using NVM (Node Version Manager) is a convenient option because it allows you to install and switch between different Node.js versions.

Install NVM

Run:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash

After the installation finishes, close and reopen your terminal.

Alternatively, load NVM manually:

source ~/.bashrc

Check that NVM is working:

nvm --version

You should see an NVM version number.

Step 4: Install Node.js

You can install the latest LTS version of Node.js using:

nvm install --lts

Set the LTS version as your default:

nvm alias default lts/*

Now check Node.js:

node -v

And npm:

npm -v

You are now ready to create a React project.

Step 5: Create a React Project Using Vite

Modern React projects are commonly created using Vite instead of the older Create React App workflow.

Navigate to the folder where you want to create your project.

For example:

cd ~/Documents

Now create a React application:

npm create vite@latest my-react-app

Vite will ask you several questions.

For the framework, select:

React

Then select:

JavaScript

if you want to use normal JavaScript.

If you prefer TypeScript, select:

TypeScript

After completing the prompts, a new directory named my-react-app will be created.

Step 6: Open the React Project

Move into your project directory:

cd my-react-app

You can check the files using:

ls

You should see files and folders similar to:

node_modules
public
src
index.html
package.json
vite.config.js

The exact files can vary depending on the Vite template and version.

Step 7: Install Project Dependencies

Inside the project directory, run:

npm install

This command reads the dependencies from package.json and installs them inside the node_modules directory.

After the installation completes, your React project is ready to run.

Step 8: Start the React Development Server

Run:

npm run dev

You should see output similar to:

VITE ready

Local: http://localhost:5173/

Open the displayed address in your web browser.

You should now see the default React/Vite application.

Congratulations! Your React development environment is working on Linux.

Step 9: Open the Project in VS Code

If you use Visual Studio Code, install it and open the project directory.

From inside the React project, you can usually run:

code .

This opens the current project in Visual Studio Code.

If the code command is not available, open VS Code manually and select:

File → Open Folder

Then select:

my-react-app

Step 10: Understand the React Project Structure

A typical React project created with Vite contains several important files.

`src/`

This is where most of your React application code lives.

For example:

src/
├── App.jsx
├── main.jsx
└── assets/

`App.jsx`

This is the main React component in the default project.

You can modify it to create your application’s user interface.

For example:

function App() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Hello React!</h1>
      <p>My first React application on Linux.</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Save the file and check your browser.

Vite’s development server will normally update the page automatically.

Step 11: How React Works

React applications are built using components.

A component is a reusable piece of the user interface.

For example:

function Welcome() {
  return <h2>Welcome to AdyBlaze</h2>;
}

You can use the component inside another component:

function App() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>My React Website</h1>
      <Welcome />
    </div>
  );
}

This component-based architecture makes React applications easier to organize and maintain.

Step 12: Install React Packages

React projects often require additional packages.

For example, you may want to install React Router:

npm install react-router-dom

You can install other packages using the same npm system:

npm install package-name

For development-only packages, you can use:

npm install -D package-name

Step 13: Stop the React Development Server

When you want to stop the development server, return to the terminal and press:

Ctrl + C

The development server will stop.

To start it again, go to your project directory and run:

npm run dev

Step 14: Build a React Application for Production

When your application is ready for deployment, create a production build:

npm run build

Vite will create a production-ready directory, normally:

dist/

You can check it using:

ls

The dist directory contains the files that can be deployed to a web server.

Step 15: Preview the Production Build

You can test the production build locally with:

npm run preview

Vite will provide a local URL where you can preview the built application.

Common React Installation Problems on Linux

Beginners can encounter several common problems while setting up React.

Problem 1: `node: command not found`

If you see:

node: command not found

Node.js is not installed or is not available in your PATH.

Check NVM:

nvm --version

If NVM is installed but not loaded, try:

source ~/.bashrc

Then:

node -v

Problem 2: `npm: command not found`

Check whether Node.js is installed:

node -v

If Node.js is working but npm is unavailable, verify your Node.js installation and PATH configuration.

With NVM, reinstalling or switching to the LTS version can help:

nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

Then check:

npm -v

Problem 3: Permission Errors With npm

You may encounter permission errors if npm was previously configured incorrectly.

Avoid using:

sudo npm install

for normal project dependencies.

Instead, using NVM is generally preferable because Node.js and npm are installed in your user environment.

Problem 4: Port 5173 Is Already in Use

Vite normally uses port 5173.

If another application is already using it, Vite can choose another available port.

You may see something similar to:

Local: http://localhost:5174/

Open the URL shown in your terminal.

Problem 5: Node.js Version Is Too Old

Modern versions of Vite may require a relatively recent Node.js version.

Check your current version:

node -v

If it is old, install the current LTS release:

nvm install --lts

Then use it:

nvm use --lts

Verify:

node -v

How to Install React on Ubuntu Quickly

If you are using Ubuntu and want the short version of the process, use:

sudo apt update

Install NVM:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash

Reload the shell:

source ~/.bashrc

Install Node.js LTS:

nvm install --lts

Create a React application:

npm create vite@latest my-react-app

Enter the project:

cd my-react-app

Install dependencies:

npm install

Start the development server:

npm run dev

Then open the local URL displayed by Vite.

React vs Create React App

Older React tutorials often recommend Create React App.

For example:

npx create-react-app my-app

However, modern React development commonly uses tools such as Vite for creating new applications.

Vite provides a fast development experience and a straightforward build process, which makes it a good choice for beginners starting a new React project.

Therefore, for a new project in 2026, learning the Vite workflow is generally more useful than following older Create React App tutorials.

How to Check Your React Version

Inside your project directory, you can run:

npm list react

You can also inspect the package.json file:

cat package.json

Look for the React dependency.

How to Update Project Dependencies

Before updating packages, it is a good idea to understand what your project currently uses.

Run:

npm outdated

You can then update dependencies according to your project’s requirements.

Avoid blindly updating every dependency in a production application because major version changes can introduce breaking changes.

Where Should You Go After Installing React?

Installing React is only the beginning.

After creating your first project, learn these topics in order:

JavaScript fundamentals
JSX
React components
Props
State
Event handling
Conditional rendering
Lists and keys
Forms
React Hooks
useState
useEffect
React Router
API integration
Authentication
State management
Production deployment

Once you understand these concepts, you can start building real-world React applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install React on Linux?

Yes. React works very well on Linux. You normally install Node.js and npm first, then create a React project using a tool such as Vite.

Is React free?

Yes. React is an open-source JavaScript library and can be used to build websites and web applications.

Do I need Node.js to use React?

For modern React development workflows, Node.js is typically required for installing packages, running development tools, and creating production builds.

Can I use React on Ubuntu?

Yes. Ubuntu is one of the popular Linux distributions for web development and works well with React, Node.js, npm, and Vite.

Can I use React without Vite?

Yes. Vite is a development/build tool rather than React itself. React can be used with other tooling, but Vite is a convenient choice for creating a new React application.

Can I build a website with React on Linux?

Absolutely. You can develop complete websites and web applications with React on Linux and deploy the resulting application to a web server or hosting platform.

Conclusion

Installing React on Linux is relatively simple once Node.js and npm are configured correctly.

The basic workflow is:

nvm install --lts

then:

npm create vite@latest my-react-app

followed by:

cd my-react-app
npm install
npm run dev

After the development server starts, open the local URL provided by Vite in your browser.

From there, you can start learning React components, JSX, props, state, hooks, routing, API integration, and other concepts required to build modern web applications.

If you are a Linux user learning web development, React combined with Node.js, npm, Vite, and VS Code provides a powerful development environment for building modern frontend applications.

What You Need Before Installing React

Step 1: Open the Linux Terminal

Step 2: Check Whether Node.js Is Already Installed

Step 3: Install Node.js on Linux

Install NVM

Step 4: Install Node.js

Step 5: Create a React Project Using Vite

Step 6: Open the React Project

Step 7: Install Project Dependencies

Step 8: Start the React Development Server

Step 9: Open the Project in VS Code

Step 10: Understand the React Project Structure

src/

App.jsx

Step 11: How React Works

Step 12: Install React Packages

Step 13: Stop the React Development Server

Step 14: Build a React Application for Production

Step 15: Preview the Production Build

Common React Installation Problems on Linux

Problem 1: node: command not found

Problem 2: npm: command not found

Problem 3: Permission Errors With npm

Problem 4: Port 5173 Is Already in Use

Problem 5: Node.js Version Is Too Old

How to Install React on Ubuntu Quickly

React vs Create React App

How to Check Your React Version

How to Update Project Dependencies

Where Should You Go After Installing React?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install React on Linux?

Is React free?

Do I need Node.js to use React?

Can I use React on Ubuntu?

Can I use React without Vite?

Can I build a website with React on Linux?

Conclusion

`src/`

`App.jsx`

Problem 1: `node: command not found`

Problem 2: `npm: command not found`