# How to install Grunt

> Install Grunt via npm over SSH on your Kualo hosting account and set up a shell alias for quick access.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/dev-languages/how-to-install-grunt
Updated: 2026-06-04

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This guide explains how to install Grunt using npm over SSH on your Kualo hosting account. You will need SSH access and basic command-line experience.

:::info
If you are not comfortable using SSH, open a support ticket and one of our system administrators will install Grunt for you.
:::

## Install Grunt via npm

1. From your home directory, install both the Grunt library and its CLI tool:

```bash
npm install grunt grunt-cli
```

All packages are downloaded and installed locally under `~/node_modules`.

2. Confirm the binary is present:

```bash
find ./node_modules/ -name "grunt"
```

You should see output similar to:

```text
./node_modules/grunt
./node_modules/grunt/lib/grunt
./node_modules/grunt-cli/bin/grunt
./node_modules/.bin/grunt
```

3. Check the version to confirm Grunt is working:

```bash
./node_modules/grunt-cli/bin/grunt -V
```

## Set up a shell alias

To avoid typing the full path every time, add an alias to your `~/.bashrc` file.

1. Append the alias:

```bash
echo 'alias grunt="~/node_modules/grunt-cli/bin/grunt"' >> ~/.bashrc
```

2. Apply the change:

```bash
source ~/.bashrc
```

3. Verify the alias works:

```bash
grunt -V
```

You can now use the `grunt` command directly to run your tasks.

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/dev-languages/how-to-install-grunt · © Kualo Ltd._