How to install and manage Node.js versions in WHM with CloudLinux

Have you ever needed to run multiple versions of Node.js for different apps on the same server? With CloudLinux OS, WHM, and the powerful Node.js Selector, managing different Node.js environments becomes simple, secure, and scalable. In this guide, you’ll learn how to install alt-nodejs on CloudLinux, enable the Node.js Selector in WHM, and deploy apps using cPanel’s Setup Node.js App tool. Whether you’re on shared hosting or a cPanel VPS, this tutorial is perfect for developers and hosting providers who want full Node.js version control with performance and isolation—thanks to mod_alt_passenger, CageFS, and EasyApache 4 integration.

Make sure your VPS server meets the following requirements:

• CloudLinux OS installed
• WHM with root access
• Valid CloudLinux license
• CageFS enabled
• EasyApache 4 installed

Step 1: Install CloudLinux (skip if it’s already on your server).

If your server is not running CloudLinux, download the CloudLinux Installer:
wget https://repo.cloudlinux.com/cloudlinux/sources/cln/cldeploy

Then run it by using the key below:
sh cldeploy -k YOUR_LICENSE_KEY

Replace YOUR_LICENSE_KEY with the real CloudLinux license key.

OR Use IP-Based License Activation:
sh cldeploy -i

To complete the installation, reboot the server:
reboot

Step 2: Install alt-nodejs and Required Packages

To set up everything you need to administer Node.js apps on CloudLinux, use this command:
yum install alt-nodejs lvemanager lve-utils cagefs ea-apache24-mod-passenger -y

Step 3: Enable Node.js Selector in WHM

1. Log in to WHM

2. Go to CloudLinux Manager → Options

3. Enable  Node.js Selector

Step 4: Enable mod_alt_passenger in EasyApache 4

1. Go to WHM → EasyApache 4
2. Search and enable mod_alt_passenger
3. Save and rebuild the profile

Step 5: Assign Node.js Version via CLI

cl-selector –select nodejs –version 18 –user yourusername

Step 6: Set up Node.js App in cPanel

• Navigate to cPanel → Software → Setup Node.js App
• Select Node.js version (for example, 18)
• Set app root directory (for example, /home/user/app)
• Set entry file (e.g., server.js)
• Run npm install as required

🛠 Troubleshooting Common Node.js Selector Issues

⚠️ Problem	✅ Solution
🔧 Node.js Selector Not Visible	Run cagefsctl --remount-all and ensure lvemanager is updated.
🧩 Node.js Not Showing in cPanel	Verify mod_alt_passenger is enabled in EasyApache 4.
💾 npm Install Errors	Increase memory in WHM → Tweak Settings to at least 1024MB.
📄 App Not Starting	Check logs in ~/app/tmp/passenger.log.
🔁 Wrong Node.js Version	Assign via CLI: cl-selector --select nodejs --version 18 --user yourusername.

Best Practices for Node.js on CloudLinux

• Use the recent LTS version of Node.js
• Install applications inside CageFS for isolation
• Keep your packages updated
• Restart apps after configuration modifications

CloudLinux with WHM simplifies Node.js version management on shared and cPanel VPS hosting. With the Node.js Selector, alt-nodejs, and CageFS isolation, you get better performance and security. Choose BigCloudy’s Node.js VPS hosting—fully optimized with EasyApache 4 and support for the latest Node.js LTS versions—for a seamless developer experience.