volta install

The volta install command will set your default version of a tool. It will also fetch that tool if it isn't already cached locally. It has the following syntax:

Installs a tool in your toolchain

USAGE:
    volta install [FLAGS] <tool[@version]>...

FLAGS:
        --verbose    Enables verbose diagnostics
        --quiet      Prevents unnecessary output
    -h, --help       Prints help information

ARGS:
    <tool[@version]>...    Tools to install, like `node`, `yarn@latest` or `your-package@^14.4.3`.

Examples

Installing Node.js

# Install latest LTS version of Node as your default
volta install node

# Install specific Node version
volta install node@16.14.2

# Install using semver range
volta install node@16
volta install node@^16.14

Installing Package Managers

# Install latest npm
volta install npm

# Install specific yarn version
volta install yarn@1.22.19

# Install pnpm (with feature flag enabled)
VOLTA_FEATURE_PNPM=1 volta install pnpm

Installing Global Packages

# Install latest TypeScript
volta install typescript

# Install specific package version
volta install eslint@8.15.0

# Install multiple packages at once
volta install prettier typescript eslint

What Happens When You Install

When you run volta install:

1. Volta downloads the tool (if not already cached locally)
2. Sets it as your default version for that tool
3. Creates shims that allow you to use the tool from anywhere on your system

Unlike volta fetch, installing a tool makes it available in your PATH through Volta's shim system. This means you can use the tool from any directory on your system.

System Impact

• volta install node affects the default Node version used outside of projects with pinned versions
• volta install yarn sets the default package manager when no project-specific version is specified
• Global package binaries installed with volta install are available in your PATH

To view your currently installed tools, use the volta list command.