Node.js Manager

The Node.js Manager is accessible from the Node.js item in the sidebar. It lets you install, manage, and remove Node.js versions through a visual interface.

Installed Versions

The main view shows all Node.js versions installed in ~/.corral/node/:

• Version number in monospace font
• Default badge (orange star) on the version set as the app-wide default
• Installation path
• Set Default button to make a version the global default
• Remove button (trash icon) to delete a version

If no versions are installed, you’ll see an empty state prompting you to install one.

Installing New Versions

Click “Install New Version…” in the toolbar to open the install sheet.

Browsing Releases

The sheet fetches the full list of Node.js releases and provides:

• LTS-only toggle — filter to show only Long-Term Support releases
• Search field — filter by version number
• “Show all versions” toggle — when off (default), shows only the latest version per major release. Turn it on to see all patch versions.

Each release shows:

• Version number
• LTS badge (green) if applicable
• npm version included
• Release date

Versions you’ve already installed appear grayed out with an “Installed” badge.

Download Progress

After selecting a version and clicking Install, Corral creates two transient units — a Download unit and an Install unit — each with its own lifecycle. You’ll see:

1. “Downloading…” — the Download unit is Active/Initializing, with a progress bar showing bytes downloaded. The unit’s lifecycle transitions to Active/Ready when the download completes and checksum validation passes.
2. “Extracting…” — the Install unit takes over, unpacking the archive and moving it to ~/.corral/node/v{version}/. The unit enters Active/Ready when extraction completes.
3. “Complete!” — both units transition to Idle. The version is ready to use.

Download and Install units appear in corral status --json and in the daemon’s unit registry while active. If a download fails (network error, checksum mismatch), the Download unit enters Failed state with structured failure details. If extraction fails (insufficient disk space, permission error), the Install unit enters Failed state.

You can cancel the download at any time — this stops the Download unit and prevents the Install unit from starting.

Setting a Default Version

Click the Set Default button next to any installed version. This sets the app-wide default used when no project-specific version is configured.

The default version is indicated by an orange star badge.

Removing Versions

Click the trash icon next to a version to remove it. This deletes the installation from ~/.corral/node/v{version}/.

System Shims

Click “Install to System…” in the toolbar to open the system shim sheet. This provides a graphical way to install the shell shims described in Node.js Management — Shell Shims.

The sheet shows:

• Current status — whether shims are installed and PATH is configured
• Install button — creates node, npm, npx shims in ~/.corral/bin/
• PATH instruction — after installation, shows the command to add to your shell profile, with a copy-to-clipboard button
• Remove button — uninstalls the shims

If automatic PATH patching succeeds, you’ll see a success indicator. If it fails (e.g., due to a non-standard shell configuration), manual instructions are shown.