Using the system node as default

[rightaway]

I've done nvm alias default system, and doing nvm use system shows Now using system version of node: v6.5.0 (npm v3.10.6). But if I do nvm exec system node app.js I get an error:

N/A: version "system" is not yet installed.

You need to run "nvm install system" to install it before using it.

What's the correct way to use the system node as the default? (I only switch to nvm versions of node when I'm in a directory with an .nvmrc.)

[ljharb]

It sounds like you're saying having default aliased to system works fine, except with nvm exec (and presumably nvm run)?

[rightaway]

That's right. Both exec and run are failing. Other things seem to work alright, though I haven't tested much of yet but will be doing so.

Btw what exactly is the 'default' node, is it what's used anytime you're not in a directory with an .nvmrc? And sometimes I see people aliasing things to node rather than a particular version, what exactly does that do?

[ljharb]

In nvm, node is just a default alias that always points to the latest version of node (nvm alias will print out the default aliases as well as your own).

If you don't use an .nvmrc anywhere, default is indeed what nvm auto-uses upon being sourced, ie in a new shell).

[rightaway]

With regards to npm run/exec not working with system, is there any workaround I can use now that would let me access the system node while I'm in a folder with an .nvmrc, without having to leave that folder first? For example if I do npm list -g to show global packages for the system node it shows me global packages for the current nvm node. Same if I replace npm in that command with /usr/bin/npm, the path to the system node, it still shows nvm node's global packages.

Btw here is my output of nvm alias, where default points to system, but when why is there (default) next to the lines with node/stable/iojs?

default -> system
node -> stable (-> v6.5.0) (default)
stable -> 6.5 (-> v6.5.0) (default)
iojs -> N/A (default)
lts/* -> lts/argon (-> N/A)
lts/argon -> v4.5.0 (-> N/A)

[ljharb]

You can always nvm use system, run your command, and then nvm use again to restore the folder's .nvmrc settings.

[yoyo837]

nvm alias default system

Is this what you want?