Creating a Node.js app via the command-line (advanced)

If you are 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 works well for one-off tasks, the CLI approach is faster and more repeatable when:

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

Step 1: log in via SSH

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

Once enabled, connect using an SSH client:

ssh [email protected] -p [port]

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

Step 2: create and navigate to your application directory

Create the directory where your app will live, then move into it:

mkdir ~/mynodeapp
cd ~/mynodeapp

This folder will serve as your application root when you register the app with the Node.js Selector in the next steps - make a note of the full path (for example, /home/yourusername/mynodeapp).

Step 3: create the package.json file

Use any terminal editor to create your package.json. For example, using nano:

nano package.json

Paste in your package definition, 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: set up the application startup file

Before you register the app with the Node.js Selector, you 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 the Node.js Selector uses 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 pass via --startup-file when creating the app.

Step 5: create the application

Run the following command to register 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 the following values to match your setup:

If you omit --startup-file, it defaults to app.js.

Step 6: install Node modules

To install the 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 and 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 be:

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 (for example, express, dotenv)

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

Optional: enter the virtual environment

If you want 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 (for example, npm run build)
• Test your application logic with node app.js (for non-server logic)

To exit the virtual environment when you are done, type:

deactivate

Managing the application from the CLI

Once your Node.js application has been created, you can control its running state with simple commands - there is 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