# Initial Setup

### **Installing Ionic**

Ionic apps are created and developed primarily through the Ionic [command-line](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#cli) utility. The Ionic CLI is the preferred method of installation, as it offers a wide range of dev tools and help options along the way.

### Install the Ionic CLI <a href="#install-the-ionic-cli" id="install-the-ionic-cli"></a>

Before proceeding, make sure the latest version of [Node.js](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#node) and [npm](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#npm) are installed. See [Environment Setup](https://ionicframework.com/docs/installation/environment) for details. Install the Ionic CLI globally with npm:

```
$ npm install -g ionic
```

### Node & NPM <a href="#node-amp-npm" id="node-amp-npm"></a>

Almost all tooling for modern JavaScript projects is based in [Node.js](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#node). The [download page](https://nodejs.org/en/download/) has prebuilt installation packages for all platforms. We recommend selecting the LTS version to ensure best compatibility.

Node is bundled with [npm](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#npm), the package manager for JavaScript.

To verify the installation, open a new terminal window and run:

```
$ node --version$ npm --version
```

This starter app will run best with node 14.x +&#x20;

Node and NPM version are constantly updated so if you face any issue in setup, or warnings in `npm audit` feel free to contact us.

## Git <a href="#git" id="git"></a>

[Git](https://ionicframework.com/docs/faq/glossary#git) is a distributed version-control system for tracking changes in source code during software development. Although it's not required, we highly recommend using Git for your app development.&#x20;

First, install the command-line utility from the [download page](https://git-scm.com/downloads). For a GUI client, we recommend [SourceTree](https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/). To verify the installation, open a new terminal window and run:

```
$ git --version
```

You can also use **Git CLI** to perform all Git related tasks. A good description of all Git CLI commands is given [here](https://git-scm.com/docs/gittutorial).&#x20;

## Cordova

Cordova is the build environment for this starter. Install latest Cordova using (Cordova-res is required for editing icon and splash when building on devices)

```
$ npm install -g cordova
$ npm install -g cordova-res
```

## Install the app dependencies <a href="#install-the-app-dependencies" id="install-the-app-dependencies"></a>

After you have Ionic installed, you have to install all the dependencies required by the app. These dependencies are listed in `package.json` file in the root of the project. To do this just run the following command using a terminal inside your ionic app folder path.

```
// Move into your project directory
$ cd myApp
// Install dependencies
$ npm install
```

If you are using latest NPM, you might see an audit report after the installation is completed. If you see any vulnerability marked as `high` , please contact us regarding the same.

## Code Editor <a href="#text-editor" id="text-editor"></a>

Personally we use [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) , however, many people like [Atom](https://atom.io/). You are free to choose any code editor you like.&#x20;

## Run the App <a href="#run-the-app" id="run-the-app"></a>

Now we have everything installed, we can test our Ionic App.

Go to[ Running the App](/apps/ionic-4-full-app/running-the-app.md) section to see how to do it.


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