Creating a Node.js App via the Command-Line (Advanced)

If you're comfortable using SSH and working in the terminal, the command-line method gives you full control over Node.js application setup and management. While the cPanel interface is user-friendly, it can become repetitive or slower when:

• Deploying multiple applications
• Working with version control or automation
• Troubleshooting with real-time feedback
• Managing apps more flexibly or reproducibly via scripts

Using the cloudlinux-selector CLI tool, you can:

• Create applications programmatically
• Install dependencies without using the GUI
• Enter the app’s virtual environment for direct npm or Node use
• Start, stop, and restart apps without needing cPanel access

Below is a step-by-step guide to creating and launching a Node.js app entirely from the terminal.

Navigation

• Step 1: Log in via SSH
• Step 2: Create and Navigate to Your Application Directory
• Step 3: Create the package.json File
• Step 4: Setup the Application Startup File
• Step 5: Create the Application
• Step 6: Install Node Modules
• Optional: Enter the Virtual Environment
• Managing the Application from the CLI

Step 1: Log in via SSH

If SSH is not yet enabled on your account, please contact our support team and we’ll be happy to turn it on.

Once enabled, connect using an SSH client like this:

ssh youruser@yourdomain.com -p [port]

Replace [port] with the port number we give you.

Step 2: Create and Navigate to Your Application Directory

Before you can start building your app, you'll need to create the directory where it will live.

mkdir ~/mynodeapp
cd ~/mynodeapp

This folder will serve as your application root when setting up the app in the Node.js Selector later on — so make a note of the path you choose (e.g. /home/yourusername/mynodeapp).

Step 3: Create the package.json File

Within your application directory, use any terminal editor (e.g. vi, nano) to create your package.json. For example, using nano:

nano package.json

Paste in your package.json file, for example:

{
  "name": "mynodeapp",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "A simple Node.js app using Express",
  "main": "app.js",
  "author": "Your Name",
  "license": "MIT",
  "dependencies": {
    "express": "^4.18.2"
  }
}

Save and exit the file.

Step 4: Setup the Application Startup File

Before you create the app in the Node.js Selector, you'll need to create (or upload) the startup file — this is usually called app.js, server.js, or similar.

This file must be compatible with Phusion Passenger, which is used under the hood by the Node.js Selector to serve your app.

In short:

• Do not use app.listen(...)
• Instead, export your app instance using module.exports = app

Make sure the file name matches the value you passed via --startup-file during app creation.

Step 5: Create the Application

Run the following command to initialise your Node.js app:

cloudlinux-selector create --json --interpreter nodejs --version 18 --app-root mynodeapp --domain yourdomain.com --app-uri app --startup-file app.js

Replace:

• 18 with your desired Node.js version (e.g. 14, 16, 18)
• mynodeapp with your chosen application root directory
• yourdomain.com with the domain where the app will be accessible
• app with the subdirectory for the app (or leave this blank for root domain)
• app.js with the filename of your actual startup file

If you don't include --startup-file, it defaults to app.js.

Step 6: Install Node Modules

To install the Node.js dependencies listed in your package.json, run:

cloudlinux-selector install-modules --json --interpreter nodejs --user yourcpaneluser --app-root mynodeapp

Replace:

• yourcpaneluser with your actual cPanel username
• mynodeapp with the exact application root directory you used when creating the app

For example, if you created the app with:

cloudlinux-selector create --json --interpreter nodejs --version 18 --app-root myappdir --domain example.com --app-uri app

Then your install command should look like:

cloudlinux-selector install-modules --json --interpreter nodejs --user examplecpuser --app-root myappdir

This will:

• Enter the correct virtual environment for your app
• Detect the package.json file inside ~/myappdir
• Install all specified dependencies (e.g. express, dotenv, etc.)

If you later update your package.json, re-run this command to install any new modules.

Optional: Enter the Virtual Environment

If you'd like to run npm commands, debug interactively, or use Node-based build tools inside your app’s own environment, you can activate the virtual environment manually.

source /home/yourcpaneluser/nodevenv/mynodeapp/18/bin/activate && cd ~/mynodeapp

Replace:

• yourcpaneluser – with your actual cPanel username
• mynodeapp – with your application root folder
• 18 – with the Node.js version number you chose

Once activated, you can:

• Run npm install manually (if needed)
• Execute any scripts defined in your package.json (e.g. npm run build)
• Test your application logic locally with node app.js (for non-server logic)

To exit the virtual environment when you're done, simply type:

deactivate

Managing the Application from the CLI

Once your Node.js application has been created, you can fully control its running state using simple commands — there’s no need for process managers like pm2 or forever. The Node.js Selector, via Phusion Passenger, handles everything automatically behind the scenes.

✅ Start the app:

cloudlinux-selector start --json --interpreter nodejs --app-root ~/mynodeapp

⏹ Stop the app:

cloudlinux-selector stop --json --interpreter nodejs --app-root ~/mynodeapp

🔄 Restart the app:

cloudlinux-selector restart --json --interpreter nodejs --app-root ~/mynodeapp