In cPanel, open Setup Node.js App under Software, click Create Application, choose the Node.js version, folder, web address and startup file, then upload your code and click Run NPM Install. Node.js is included on every Tremhost web hosting plan.
- Log in to cPanel and, under Software, click Setup Node.js App.
- Click Create Application and fill in the form (see the table below).
- Click Create. cPanel makes the application folder and starts a small placeholder app.
- Upload your code into the application folder with File Manager or FTP. Include
package.json, but not thenode_modulesfolder. - Back in Setup Node.js App, click the pencil icon next to your app, then Run NPM Install. This installs your packages from
package.json. - Click Restart and open the application URL to check it works.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Node.js version | The version your app was built and tested on |
| Application mode | Production for a live site |
| Application root | A folder for the code, such as nodeapp. Keep it outside public_html so nobody can download your source files |
| Application URL | The domain or subdomain, and a path if the app should live at yourdomain.com/app |
| Application startup file | The file that starts your app, such as app.js or server.js |
| Environment variables | Settings and secrets such as API keys, instead of writing them into the code |
Two things that trip people up
- The port. The web server passes visitors to your app, so don’t hard-code a port. Use
app.listen(process.env.PORT || 3000), or the equivalent for your framework. - Changes don’t show. The app keeps running the old code until you click Restart. Restart after every upload.
Tip: Always run the app through Setup Node.js App, never by starting node yourself from a terminal. A process you start by hand stops when the session ends.
Each web hosting account has its own CPU and memory limits, which suits websites, APIs and bots with modest traffic. For background workers, Docker or heavy real-time traffic, a KVM VPS gives you a whole server, from $15 a month.
Still stuck? Open a support ticket with the application URL and what you see, or message us on WhatsApp.
Updated 6 November 2026. Something here out of date? Tell us.