Installing Node.js

Node.js is required for connecting AI clients to your WordPress site remotely. It provides npm (the Node package manager) and npx (a tool that runs npm packages without installing them globally). The MCP remote proxy, @automattic/mcp-wordpress-remote, is executed via npx.

If you only use the STDIO transport (local development with WP-CLI), you can skip this step.

What is npx and why does Novamira need it?

npx comes bundled with Node.js (version 5.2 and later). It lets you run a package directly from the npm registry without installing it permanently on your machine. When your AI client starts a session, it runs:

npx -y @automattic/mcp-wordpress-remote@latest

This downloads and runs the MCP WordPress Remote proxy, which acts as a bridge between your AI client (running locally on your machine) and your WordPress site (running on a remote server). The proxy handles authentication, protocol translation, and streaming.

macOS

Option 1: Official installer (recommended)

  1. Go to nodejs.org and download the LTS (Long Term Support) version for macOS.
  2. Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the installation wizard.
  3. Open Terminal and verify the installation:
node --version
npm --version
npx --version

All three commands should print a version number.

Option 2: Homebrew

If you use Homebrew:

brew install node

Windows

Option 1: Official installer (recommended)

  1. Go to nodejs.org and download the LTS version for Windows.
  2. Run the downloaded .msi installer. Accept the defaults. The installer adds Node.js to your system PATH automatically.
  3. Open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window (important: must be a new window opened after installation) and verify:
node --version
npm --version
npx --version

Option 2: winget

If you use the Windows Package Manager:

winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

Close and reopen your terminal after installation.

Linux

Ubuntu / Debian

The version in the default Ubuntu/Debian repositories is often outdated. Use the NodeSource repository for the latest LTS version:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Fedora / RHEL / CentOS

curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo bash -
sudo yum install -y nodejs

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S nodejs npm

Using nvm (any distribution)

nvm (Node Version Manager) lets you install and switch between Node.js versions without root access:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

Verify your installation

After installing, run these commands in your terminal:

node --version    # Should show v18.x or later
npm --version     # Should show 9.x or later
npx --version     # Should show 9.x or later

If all three commands print version numbers, you are ready to connect your AI client to WordPress. Continue to Installation.