nvm is not compatible with the npm config “prefix” option:

Question

I am trying to run another NodeJS version with nvm but getting this error:

$ nvm use v4.2.4

nvm is not compatible with the npm config \"prefix\         


        

Answer 1

This error can occur when your NVM installation folder path has a Symbolic Link.

Explanation

The default installation path of NVM is: $HOME/.nvm but your home folder could be a symbolic link for another drive, like my case.

Example, my home folder is a Symbolic Link to aother drive:

/home/myuser -> /bigdrive/myuser

This cause the prefix problem.

Solution

On your startup script (.bashrc or .zshrc or other), change the NVM folder to the direct path.

Ex: NVM_DIR="/bigdrive/myuser/.nvm".

.bashrc

export NVM_DIR="/bigdrive/myuser/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" # This loads nvm
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"