diff --git a/npm_install.py b/npm_install.py
index 6732647..7650a85 100644
--- a/npm_install.py
+++ b/npm_install.py
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ DEBUG = False
 
 
 # ========== Configuration ==========
-# Maximum supported Node.js version (can be updated in the future)
-MAX_NODEJS_VERSION = 21 
+# Minimum required Node.js version for NPM 2.12.6+
+MIN_NODEJS_VERSION = 18
+# Maximum supported Node.js version 
+MAX_NODEJS_VERSION = 21
 
 # ========== UI / Spinner ==========
 
@@ -255,6 +257,36 @@ def set_file_ownership(files: list[str | Path], owner: str, mode: int | None = N
     
     return len(failed) == 0
 
+def ensure_minimum_nodejs(min_version=MIN_NODEJS_VERSION):
+    try:
+        node_ver = runout(["node", "--version"], check=False).strip()
+        
+        match = re.match(r'v?(\d+)', node_ver)
+        if match:
+            current_major = int(match.group(1))
+            if current_major >= min_version:
+                print(f"✓ Node.js {node_ver} is sufficient (>= v{min_version})")
+                return True
+            else:
+                print(f"✗ Node.js {node_ver} is too old (< v{min_version})")
+        else:
+            print(f"Cannot parse Node.js version: {node_ver}")
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        print("Node.js not found")
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error checking Node.js version: {e}")
+    
+    print(f"Installing Node.js v{min_version} from NodeSource...")
+    install_node_from_nodesource(str(min_version))
+    
+    try:
+        node_ver = runout(["node", "--version"], check=False).strip()
+        print(f"✓ Node.js {node_ver} installed successfully")
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Failed to verify Node.js installation: {e}")
+        return False
+
 def download_extract_tar_gz(url: str, dest_dir: Path) -> Path:
     dest_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     with step("Downloading and untaring"):
@@ -1627,6 +1659,10 @@ def main():
 
     setup_angie(ipv6_enabled=args.enable_ipv6)
     write_metrics_files()
+    
+    with step("Checking Node.js version requirements"):
+        ensure_minimum_nodejs()
+
     install_node_and_yarn(node_pkg=args.nodejs_pkg, node_version=args.node_version)
     ensure_user_and_dirs()
     create_sudoers_for_npm()