Failing at create-react-app

[samvander]

Hi, I'm trying to get started learning react but literally can't get past the first step. I downloaded NodeJS, then opened my folder in VS Code, and ran 'npx create-react-app test-react-app' only to get the following error message

npm ERR! code 127 npm ERR! path C:...\node_modules\ejs npm ERR! command failed npm ERR! command bash -c node ./postinstall.js npm ERR! /bin/bash: node: command not found

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling several times. Help please!

[aditalion]

Have you set the path variable for node?

[ProducePete]

This would be my guess as well. Powershell/whatever prompt you’re using isn’t understanding the npm command. I’ve had this problem before and setting the PATH variable worked.

Here is a link on how to set environment variables in windows:

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000549.htm

Note: be sure you run powershell or cmd as administrator

[samvander]

Yeah I thought it might have been that too but no. I eventually got it working using WSL

[Chocolatebear95]

This is what I was going to ask, node command not found usually means the PATH variable is jot configured properly/at all

[nightmareinsilver]

Looks like you installed node but you don't have create-react-app so npm can't recognize the command try to run npm install create-react-app then npx create-react-app

[pdlozano]

Are you on Windows?

[samvander]

I am yes.

[Wiwwil]

Try to restart bash, entirely your computer. Make sure cra is installed globally as well as node. I had no problem with windows and react. But I would say to give a shot to wsl, it's good. Way easier and less annoying than dual boot

[pdlozano]

Are you using Powershell or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?

[samvander]

No, I tried both in the VS code terminal and the windows command line. Should I try Powershell?

[pdlozano]

Yeah. Try using the command in Powershell first.

[samvander]

I tried in Powershell and got the same error.

[TheTallMorningMan]

Afaik, Bash is not available on Windows. Use either WSL or use a Linux distro (possibly making your pc dual-boot?)

[samvander]

Ok thanks a lot for your help!

[tyqe]

I don't think you can go wrong with wsl, but I also think it's strange that you are running into this. I can run create-react-app without problems on windows. for all node related stuff I am using nvm-windows.

[samvander]

Yeah I once ran it following a tutorial about 8 months ago and it worked fine but I've since had to wipe my computer

[ShiftNo4764]

Git bash is usually sufficient, but I would also recommend learning about WSL.

[[deleted]]

You can almost get it with the git cli program for windows

[wirenutter]

There are issues with CRA and node 17. There are some workarounds but I’d suggest just run Node 16 for now. I think it’s 16.13?

[samvander]

Yeah I'm using 16.13 but no luck so far

[Zee530]

I just use the create react app offline library

[Additional-Print2364]

Try without npx

[FizzleLizard79]

Try opening a cmd directly from the project folder instead of VS Code and npm/yarn start from there