Guide to Installing Node.js, Accessing the CLI, and Clearing Full Partitions in cPanel & WHM

1. Introduction to Node.js Installation

Node.js is an open-source server environment that runs JavaScript efficiently without blocking processes. It offers excellent resource management and is widely used for modern web applications.

Requirements

• Root-level access to the server
• A functioning package manager

2. Install Node.js on RHEL-Based Servers

You can install Node.js on supported RHEL-derived systems using one of the following methods:

Install via WHM

WHM » Home » Software » EasyApache 4 » Additional Packages

Install via Command Line

Available packages:

• ea-nodejs16 (only option for CentOS 7)
• ea-nodejs18
• ea-nodejs20
• ea-nodejs22

3. Install Node.js on Ubuntu Servers

curl -s https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo bash
apt install nodejs
apt install ea-apache24-mod-passenger
ls -al /etc/cpanel/ea4/passenger*.system-default

4. Install a Node.js Application

cPanel users can deploy Node.js apps in two ways:

• Clone an app via Git Version Control
• Create a new application

For RHEL-based servers, read the How to Install a Node.js Application documentation. For Ubuntu, AlmaLinux 9+, or Rocky Linux 9, use the Passenger Applications documentation.

5. Uninstall Node.js

On RHEL-Based Servers

• Uninstall via EasyApache 4
• Or remove via package manager

On Ubuntu

apt-get purge --auto-remove nodejs

6. Troubleshooting Node.js

If you encounter issues, use:

• Passenger Standalone Troubleshooting
• Reverse Port Binding in Node.js

7. Included Applications

Node.js installation includes:

• Node.js
• NPM — Node package manager
• NPX — Node process runner

Stored in:

/opt/cpanel/ea-nodejs16/bin/

8. Accessing the Command Line

cPanel & WHM uses Bash for the root user by default. Users can access the CLI through:

cPanel Terminal

cPanel » Home » Advanced » Terminal

WHM Terminal

WHM » Home » Advanced » Terminal

Operating System CLI Access

OS	CLI Application	How to Access
Windows	Command Prompt	Start → Search → Command Prompt
macOS	Terminal	Applications → Utilities → Terminal
Ubuntu	Terminal	Ctrl + Alt + T

9. Connect to cPanel & WHM via SSH

ssh username@hostname

Example:

ssh [email protected]

After entering the password, you will see:

Last login: Fri Feb  6 12:52:33 2015 from 10.1.4.202
username@example [~]#

10. Limitations

If shell access is disabled, you may see:

Shell access is not enabled on your account!

Contact your hosting provider to enable SSH.

11. Clearing a Full Partition

The /var directory often fills up first due to system logs.

Step 1 — Check Disk Usage

du -sh

Example output:

563M ./cpanel
2.8G .

Step 2 — Identify Large Files

du -h *

Step 3 — Save Recent Entries

tail -5000 filename > filename.new
mv filename.new filename
sync

Step 4 — Delete Files

cat /dev/null > filename

Step 5 — Restart the Service

Follow the How to Restart Services documentation.

Conclusion

This guide provides everything you need to install and manage Node.js, access the CLI, and clear full partitions in cPanel & WHM environments. Mastering these tasks ensures smoother server performance and easier troubleshooting.