Node.js 24 is on the verge of transitioning to Long-Term Support (LTS) in October 2025, marking a significant milestone in its development. This upcoming LTS release brings a host of enhancements and features that promise to elevate the performance and security of JavaScript applications. In this article, we’ll delve into the key aspects of Node.js 24, its journey to LTS, and what developers can expect from this release.
Introduction to Node.js 24
Node.js 24, released in May 2025, has been in the ‘Current’ release state for several months, allowing developers to explore its new features and improvements. As it approaches its LTS status in October 2025, Node.js 24 is set to become the recommended version for production environments, offering stability and extended support for the years to come.
The transition to LTS signifies that Node.js 24 will receive critical bug fixes, security updates, and performance enhancements, ensuring a reliable foundation for building and deploying applications. This move aligns with the Node.js release schedule, which designates even-numbered releases as LTS versions, providing a predictable and stable environment for developers.
Key Features and Enhancements
Node.js 24 introduces several notable features aimed at improving performance, security, and developer experience. One of the most significant updates is the upgrade of the V8 JavaScript engine to version 13.6. This enhancement brings several modern JavaScript features, including:
- Float16Array: Enables efficient handling of 16-bit floating-point numbers, optimizing memory usage and performance.
- Explicit Resource Management: Provides developers with better control over resource allocation and management, leading to more efficient applications.
- RegExp.escape: Introduces a method to escape regular expressions, simplifying the process of creating safe patterns.
- WebAssembly Memory64 Support: Expands the capabilities of WebAssembly, allowing for the use of 64-bit memory addressing.
- Error.isError: Adds a utility to check if a value is an instance of the Error class, enhancing error handling.
These updates not only improve performance but also keep Node.js aligned with the latest ECMAScript standards, ensuring that developers have access to modern JavaScript features.
Native TypeScript Support
Another groundbreaking feature in Node.js 24 is the native support for TypeScript. Previously, developers had to rely on external tools like TypeScript compilers or bundlers to work with TypeScript in Node.js environments. With Node.js 24, developers can now execute TypeScript files directly using the node command, streamlining the development process and reducing the need for additional build steps.
This native support eliminates the entire TypeScript build pipeline, allowing for direct execution of .ts files without the need for tools like tsc, webpack, or babel. This change fundamentally alters the development workflow and deployment architecture, making it more efficient and less error-prone.
Enhanced Performance and Security
Node.js 24 brings substantial performance improvements across various operations. For instance, URL parsing has been enhanced, resulting in a 400% performance boost. Similarly, the TextDecoder has seen a 364% increase in speed, and the HTTP server performance has improved by 96%. These enhancements translate to faster data processing and reduced latency in applications.
On the security front, Node.js 24 introduces a more robust Permission Model. This model allows developers to restrict file system, network, and environment access, enabling tighter sandboxing for running untrusted or third-party code. The CLI flag for this feature has been simplified from --experimental-permission to --permission, making it more accessible and easier to implement.
Deprecations and Removals
As part of the ongoing evolution of Node.js, several older APIs are being phased out in Node.js 24. Notably, the legacy URL parser (url.parse()) is deprecated in favor of the more standards-compliant WHATWG URL API. Additionally, various deprecated TLS methods, such as tls.createSecurePair(), are being removed to enhance security and align with modern standards.
Developers are encouraged to review their codebases and migrate to the updated APIs to ensure compatibility with future Node.js releases and to take advantage of improved performance and security features.
Community and Ecosystem Support
The Node.js community has been instrumental in the development and testing of Node.js 24. As the release approaches its LTS status, the community continues to provide valuable feedback and contributions, ensuring that the release meets the needs of developers and aligns with industry best practices.
Various ecosystem projects and tools are also preparing to support Node.js 24. For instance, the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) has announced plans to discontinue support for Node.js 18.x, encouraging users to migrate to newer LTS versions like Node.js 22.x. This shift underscores the importance of adopting the latest LTS releases to benefit from enhanced features and security updates.
Migration and Upgrade Path
For organizations and developers currently using older versions of Node.js, migrating to Node.js 24 LTS is a strategic move. The transition offers access to improved performance, security, and modern JavaScript features. It’s advisable to plan the migration carefully, test applications thoroughly, and address any compatibility issues that may arise during the upgrade process.
Utilizing version managers like nvm can facilitate the transition by allowing developers to switch between different Node.js versions seamlessly. This approach enables testing and gradual adoption of Node.js 24 without disrupting existing workflows.
Node.js 24’s impending transition to LTS in October 2025 marks a significant advancement in the Node.js ecosystem. With its array of new features, performance enhancements, and security improvements, Node.js 24 is poised to become the foundation for building robust and efficient JavaScript applications in the years a.
Developers are encouraged to explore the new capabilities of Node.js 24, plan their migration strategies, and engage with the community to ensure a smooth transition. Embracing this release will not only enhance application performance but also align projects with the latest industry standards and best practices.