NVM Installation and Setup on macOS

Problem

You've attempted to install Node Version Manager (nvm) on macOS using Homebrew, and while Homebrew reports that nvm is already installed, running nvm --version returns zsh: command not found: nvm. The core issue is missing shell configuration that enables the terminal to recognize the nvm command.

This occurs because Homebrew installations require manual setup instructions added to your shell configuration file (.zshrc or .bash_profile) before the commands become available.

Solution: Configure nvm in Your Shell

Verify Installation Status

First, confirm nvm is actually installed through Homebrew:

brew list | grep nvm

If this returns nvm, proceed to configuration. If not, install it:

brew install nvm

Create Required Directory

nvm needs a directory to store Node.js versions:

mkdir -p ~/.nvm

Configure Your Shell

1. Edit Your Shell Profile
   Open your .zshrc file (or .bash_profile for older macOS versions) with:

   nano ~/.zshrc

2. Add Configuration Lines
   Paste these at the bottom of the file:

   export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
   [ -s "$(brew --prefix nvm)/nvm.sh" ] && . "$(brew --prefix nvm)/nvm.sh"
   [ -s "$(brew --prefix nvm)/etc/bash_completion.d/nvm" ] && . "$(brew --prefix nvm)/etc/bash_completion.d/nvm"

3. Save and Apply Changes
   Press CTRL+O → Enter → CTRL+X to save. Then reload:

   source ~/.zshrc

Verify nvm Functionality

Check successful setup:

nvm --version
# Should output version (e.g., 0.39.5)

::: troubleshooting If nvm is still not recognized:

1. Restart your terminal completely
2. Manually source nvm:

   source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh

3. Check Homebrew integrity:

   brew doctor

   Fix any reported issues :::

Test Node Installation via nvm

nvm install node  # Installs latest Node.js version
nvm use node      # Sets the version as active
node -v           # Verify version

NOT RECOMMENDED

Avoid manually removing Node-related files from /usr/local/bin or /opt/homebrew/Cellar. Always use Homebrew for uninstallation:

brew uninstall node@version

Manually deleting files can cause dependencies issues and corrupted installations.

Conclusion

The nvm command must be enabled in your shell configuration file after Homebrew installation. By updating .zshrc with the correct paths and environment variables, you enable nvm to manage Node.js versions effectively. This solution maintains your existing Node installations while adding proper version management control.