$nvm_default_version Doesn't Work In Fish 4.0.0

Mar 13, 2025 by ADMIN 48 views

$nvm_default_version Doesn't Work in Fish 4.0.0: A Solution to the Node Version Management Issue

As a developer, managing different versions of Node.js is crucial for testing and development purposes. Node Version Manager (nvm) is a popular tool for managing multiple versions of Node.js on a single system. However, with the recent update to fish v4, users have encountered issues with the default version of nvm not working as expected. In this article, we will explore the issue and provide a solution to get nvm working with fish v4.

The Issue with $nvm_default_version in Fish 4.0.0

The issue arises when you try to set the default version of nvm using the set --universal command. Even after setting the default version, starting a new shell from scratch results in an error when trying to use Node.js. The error message indicates that the node command is unknown.

Example Use Case

Let's take a look at an example use case to illustrate the issue. Suppose you have installed nvm and set the default version to v23.9.0 using the following commands:

nvm install v23.9.0
set --universal nvm_default_version v23.9.0

After setting the default version, you start a new shell from scratch and try to use Node.js. However, you encounter the following error:

fish: Unknown command: node

This error message indicates that the node command is not recognized, even though you have set the default version of nvm.

Why Does $nvm_default_version Not Work in Fish 4.0.0?

The issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4 is due to a change in the way fish handles environment variables. In fish v4, the set --universal command is not sufficient to set the default version of nvm. This is because fish v4 uses a different mechanism to manage environment variables, which is not compatible with the set --universal command.

Solution: Using nvm use to Set the Default Version

To resolve the issue, you can use the nvm use command to set the default version of nvm. This command sets the default version of nvm for the current shell session. To make the default version persistent across shell sessions, you can add the following line to your shell configuration file (usually ~/.config/fish/config.fish):

nvm use v23.9.0

This will set the default version of nvm to v23.9.0 for the current shell session and make it persistent across shell sessions.

Alternative Solution: Using nvm alias

Another solution to the issue is to use the nvm alias command to create an alias for the default version of nvm. This command creates an alias for the default version of nvm, which can be used to set the default version of nvm.

To create an alias for the default version of nvm, use the following command:

nvm alias default v23.9.0

This will create an alias for the default version of nvm, which can be used to set the default version of nvm.

In conclusion, the issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4 is due to a change in the way fish handles environment variables. To resolve the issue, you can use the nvm use command to set the default version of nvm or create an alias for the default version of nvm using the nvm alias command. By following these solutions, you can get nvm working with fish v4 and manage different versions of Node.js with ease.

If you encounter any issues while trying to set the default version of nvm, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the issue:

Check that you have installed nvm correctly and that the nvm command is available in your shell.
Verify that the default version of nvm is set correctly using the nvm current command.
Check that the shell configuration file (usually ~/.config/fish/config.fish) is correctly configured and that the nvm use command is added to the file.
Try setting the default version of nvm using the nvm alias command to create an alias for the default version of nvm.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve any issues you encounter while trying to set the default version of nvm in fish v4.
$nvm_default_version Doesn't Work in Fish 4.0.0: A Q&A Article

In our previous article, we explored the issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4 and provided solutions to get nvm working with fish v4. However, we understand that some users may still have questions about the issue and the solutions provided. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the issue and provide additional information to help users resolve the issue.

Q: What is the cause of the issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4?

A: The issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4 is due to a change in the way fish handles environment variables. In fish v4, the set --universal command is not sufficient to set the default version of nvm. This is because fish v4 uses a different mechanism to manage environment variables, which is not compatible with the set --universal command.

Q: How can I resolve the issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4?

A: To resolve the issue, you can use the nvm use command to set the default version of nvm. This command sets the default version of nvm for the current shell session. To make the default version persistent across shell sessions, you can add the following line to your shell configuration file (usually ~/.config/fish/config.fish):

nvm use v23.9.0

Alternatively, you can create an alias for the default version of nvm using the nvm alias command:

nvm alias default v23.9.0

Q: Why do I need to use `nvm use` or `nvm alias` to set the default version of nvm?

A: You need to use nvm use or nvm alias to set the default version of nvm because the set --universal command is not sufficient to set the default version of nvm in fish v4. The nvm use command sets the default version of nvm for the current shell session, while the nvm alias command creates an alias for the default version of nvm.

Q: How can I verify that the default version of nvm is set correctly?

A: To verify that the default version of nvm is set correctly, you can use the nvm current command. This command displays the current version of nvm being used. If the default version of nvm is set correctly, the nvm current command should display the default version of nvm.

Q: Can I use the `set --universal` command to set the default version of nvm in fish v4?

A: No, you cannot use the set --universal command to set the default version of nvm in fish v4. The set --universal command is not sufficient to set the default version of nvm in fish v4 due to the change in the way fish handles environment variables.

Q: How can I troubleshoot issues with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4?

A: To troubleshoot issues with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4, you can try the following:

Check that you have installed nvm correctly and that the nvm command is available in your shell.
Verify that the default version of nvm is set correctly using the nvm current command.
Check that the shell configuration file (usually ~/.config/fish/config.fish) is correctly configured and that the nvm use command is added to the file.
Try setting the default version of nvm using the nvm alias command to create an alias for the default version of nvm.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve any issues you encounter while trying to set the default version of nvm in fish v4.

In conclusion, the issue with $nvm_default_version not working in fish v4 is due to a change in the way fish handles environment variables. To resolve the issue, you can use the nvm use command to set the default version of nvm or create an alias for the default version of nvm using the nvm alias command. By following these solutions and troubleshooting tips, you can get nvm working with fish v4 and manage different versions of Node.js with ease.