---
layout: documentation
title: Install and upgrade
order: 2
redirect_from:
  - /docs/getting_started/install.html
---

# Install and upgrade

The Lounge requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) v4 or more recent, and [npm](https://www.npmjs.org/).

If you need to install these, follow instructions given on the [official documentation](https://nodejs.org/en/download/package-manager/) by choosing your distribution in the list.

You can then install The Lounge using:

```sh
$ [sudo] npm -g install thelounge
```

## Install complete

When you're done installing The Lounge, go to [the next section](/docs/getting_started/usage.html)

---
layout: documentation
title: Install and upgrade
order: 2
redirect_from:
  - /docs/getting_started/install.html
---

# Install and upgrade

Installing the [npm package](https://www.npmjs.com/package/thelounge) directly
allows you to use stable releases on systems where we do not provide native
packages.

First, make sure [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) v4 or more recent is installed
with `node --version`, as well as [npm](https://www.npmjs.org/). If not, follow
the instructions given on the
[official documentation](https://nodejs.org/en/download/package-manager/) by
choosing your distribution in the list.

Then install The Lounge using:

```sh
[sudo] npm --global install thelounge
```

{: .alert.alert-warning role="alert"}
Note that installing from npm does not daemonize nor autostart The Lounge.

Start the server manually using:

```sh
lounge start
```

The Lounge is now up and running **in public mode** at <http://localhost:9000>.

Read more about how to use The Lounge from the command line in
[the CLI usage section](/docs/server/usage.html).

Its configuration file is located at `~/.lounge/config.js`. To enable
private mode and configure The Lounge, go to
[the configuration section](/docs/server/configuration.html).

To upgrade The Lounge, simply re-run the `install` command above, and restart it.

Improve a lot section to install from npm
Improve a lot section to install from npm
