How to Install Node-RED on macOS

Node-RED is a visual programming tool for wiring together devices, services, and applications. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing Node-RED on macOS.

Prerequisites

  • A macOS computer with an Intel or ARM processor
  • A working internet connection

Step 1: Install Node.js

Node-RED requires Node.js version 10 or later to be installed on your computer. Follow these steps to install Node.js on macOS:

  1. Visit the official Node.js website at https://nodejs.org/en/download/ and download the macOS installer for Node.js.
  2. Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions provided by the Node.js installer.

Step 2: Install Node-RED

Once Node.js is installed, you can install Node-RED by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red

This command installs Node-RED globally on your computer. You may be prompted for your password during the installation process.

Step 3: Start Node-RED

After installing Node-RED, you can start it by running the following command in your terminal:

node-red

This command starts the Node-RED server and opens the Node-RED editor in your web browser at http://localhost:1880.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

To verify that Node-RED is running correctly on your computer, try importing a sample flow into the Node-RED editor. Follow these steps:

  1. Click the menu button in the top-right corner of the Node-RED editor (the button with three horizontal lines).
  2. Click "Import" from the drop-down menu.
  3. In the "Import nodes" dialog box, select "Examples" and then choose any of the available sample flows.
  4. Click "Import" to import the selected sample flow into your Node-RED workspace.
  5. If the flow is imported successfully, you should see a new group of nodes appear in the editor.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and verified the installation of Node-RED on your macOS computer.

Conclusion

Node-RED is a powerful tool for connecting devices, services, and applications. With this tutorial, you should now be able to install Node-RED on your macOS computer and start exploring its capabilities.