node: A standard runtime for executing JavaScript outside the browser

Node.js is an open-source cross-platform runtime environment that executes JavaScript code on the server side, outside of a browser environment. Built on the V8 engine, it processes JavaScript as fast as native code and operates independently of the platform.

The project is operated under the support of the OpenJS Foundation and adopts an open governance model centered on the TSC (Technical Steering Committee). Distributed under the MIT license, it allows for commercial use and supports major operating systems such as Linux, macOS, and Windows.

The release cycle is divided into four stages: Alpha, Current, LTS, and Nightly. A new Major version is released as Current every April and is promoted to LTS in October, six months later, receiving stability and security updates for 30 months. This structure ensures long-term stability in production environments.

With over 123k stars and 39.2k forks, this repository is the core of the Node.js ecosystem. It serves as an essential foundation for developers building JavaScript-based backend infrastructure, from server application development to creating CLI tools.