How to Install a Node.js Application in cPanel

1. Overview

Warning: Because WebPros International, LLC does not develop Node.js, cPanel Technical Support cannot assist with these steps. Only experienced system administrators should perform this process. All steps must be performed as a cPanel user, not as root.

This guide explains how to install a Node.js web application. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime for building scalable applications.

You may also perform these steps in cPanel’s Terminal interface.

In this document, nodejsapp represents the application name and 3000 represents an open firewall port.

2. Pre‑Installation Requirements

Your hosting provider must install the appropriate EasyApache 4 packages.

2.1 AlmaLinux 8 / Rocky Linux 8

Required:

• ea-ruby27-mod_passenger
• ea-apache24-mod_env

One Node.js version:

• ea-nodejs16
• ea-nodejs18
• ea-nodejs20
• ea-nodejs22

2.2 AlmaLinux 9 / Rocky Linux 9

• ea-apache24-mod-passenger
• ea-apache24-mod_env

2.3 CentOS 7

• ea-ruby27-mod_passenger
• ea-apache24-mod_env
• ea-nodejs16

Note: This guide does not apply to Ubuntu servers.

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3. Install the Node.js Application

3.1 Create the Application Directory

Log in via SSH as a cPanel user and run:

mkdir nodejsapp

Then enter the directory.

3.2 Create the app.js File

Important: Passenger searches for app.js by default. If you use a different filename, you must configure it manually in Apache.

Example app.js file:

const http = require('http')
const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello World! NodeJS \n');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});

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4. Test the Application

Start the application:

/opt/cpanel/ea-nodejs20/bin/node app.js

Expected output:

Server running at http://127.0.0.1:3000

In another terminal:

curl http://127.0.0.1:3000

Expected output:

Hello World! NodeJS

To stop the application:

ps aux | grep app.js
kill -9 PIDNUMBER

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5. Register the Application

Use:

cPanel » Home » Software » Application Manager

After registration, access the application at:

http://example.com/nodejsapp

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6. Restart the Application

Create a restart.txt file inside the tmp directory:

nodejsapp/tmp/restart.txt

Passenger restarts the application when this file is touched.

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7. Create a Custom Startup File

If your startup file is not app.js, you must define it in Apache.

Create:

/etc/apache2/conf.d/userdata/ssl/2_4/user/domain.nodejs.conf

Example content:

DocumentRoot /user/example.com/public
PassengerStartupFile index.js
PassengerAppType node
PassengerAppRoot /nodejsapp/example.com

Rebuild and restart Apache:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/rebuildhttpdconf
/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/restartsrv_httpd

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8. Troubleshooting

Error logs are located in:

/home/user/nodejsapp/logs

For port issues, refer to Passenger’s reverse port binding documentation.

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Conclusion

This guide covers all steps required to install, test, register, restart, and troubleshoot Node.js applications in cPanel. Following these instructions ensures stable and secure deployment of Node.js applications on your hosting environment.