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Quick Fix: “Vite is Not Recognized as an Internal or External Command” Error

Vite is Not Recognized as an Internal or External Command

The “Vite is not recognized as an internal or external command” error is a common issue developers face when working with the Vite build tool for modern web projects. This error can be frustrating, but it is typically straightforward to resolve with the correct steps and understanding of the underlying causes. This article will guide you through the solutions to fix this error and ensure a smooth development experience with Vite.

Table of Contents

Root Causes of the Error

This error occurs when the system cannot find the Vite command in its PATH environment variable. This can be due to several reasons:

Vite is not installed globally

If Vite is not installed globally on your system, the command won’t be available in your PATH.

Incorrect PATH configuration

Even if Vite is installed, the PATH environment variable may not be set up correctly to include the Vite binary.

Local project setup issues

If you’re trying to run Vite commands in a project without having Vite installed locally in that project’s dependencies.

Installing Vite Globally

To ensure Vite is available as a global command, you need to install it globally using npm or yarn. This will make the vite command available from any directory in your system.

Using npm

Run the following command to install Vite globally with npm: 
				
					npm install -g vite

Using yarn

Alternatively, you can use yarn to install Vite globally 
				
					yarn global add vite
After installing Vite globally, you can verify the installation by running: 
				
					vite --version
If the version number is displayed, Vite is installed correctly.

Adding Vite to the Project

In some cases, you might prefer to install Vite as a local dependency within a project. This is common in projects that manage dependencies locally.

Installing Locally

To add Vite to your project, navigate to the project directory and run: 
				
					npm install vite --save-dev

Running Local Vite Commands

When Vite is installed locally, you should use npx (for npm) or yarn (for yarn) to run Vite commands: 
				
					npx vite
Or 
				
					yarn vite
This ensures that the Vite command used is the one from the local node_modules folder.

Configuring PATH Environment Variable

If you have installed Vite globally and still encounter the error, the issue may lie with the PATH environment variable configuration.

On Windows

  • Open System Properties: Right-click on ‘This PC’ or ‘Computer’ on the desktop or in File Explorer, then click ‘Properties’.
  • Advanced System Settings: Click on ‘Advanced system settings’ on the left.
  • Environment Variables: In the System Properties window, click the ‘Environment Variables’ button.
  • Edit PATH Variable: In the Environment Variables window, find and select the ‘Path’ variable in the ‘System variables’ section, then click ‘Edit’.
  • Add Node.js Path: Add the path to your Node.js installation (e.g., C:\Program Files\nodejs) and the npm global packages directory (e.g., %AppData%\npm).

On macOS and Linux

  • Open Terminal: Open your terminal application.
  • Edit Shell Profile: Open your shell profile file in a text editor. The file to edit depends on the shell you are using. For Bash, it is ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile. For Zsh, it is ~/.zshrc.
  • Add PATH Export: Add the following line to include npm global binaries in your PATH:
				
					export PATH=$PATH:~/.npm-global/bin
  • Apply Changes: Save the file and run source ~/.bashrc (or source ~/.zshrc for Zsh) to apply the changes.

Configuring PATH Environment Variable

If you have installed Vite globally and still encounter the error, the issue may lie with the PATH environment variable configuration.

On Windows

  • Open System Properties: Right-click on ‘This PC’ or ‘Computer’ on the desktop or in File Explorer, then click ‘Properties’.
  • Advanced System Settings: Click on ‘Advanced system settings’ on the left.
  • Environment Variables: In the System Properties window, click the ‘Environment Variables’ button.
  • Edit PATH Variable: In the Environment Variables window, find and select the ‘Path’ variable in the ‘System variables’ section, then click ‘Edit’.
  • Add Node.js Path: Add the path to your Node.js installation (e.g., C:\Program Files\nodejs) and the npm global packages directory (e.g., %AppData%\npm).

On macOS and Linux

  • Open Terminal: Open your terminal application.
  • Edit Shell Profile: Open your shell profile file in a text editor. The file to edit depends on the shell you are using. For Bash, it is ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile. For Zsh, it is ~/.zshrc.
  • Add PATH Export: Add the following line to include npm global binaries in your PATH:
				
					export PATH=$PATH:~/.npm-global/bin
  • Apply Changes: Save the file and run source ~/.bashrc (or source ~/.zshrc for Zsh) to apply the changes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you have followed the above steps and still face issues, here are additional troubleshooting tips:

Verify Installation

Ensure Vite is installed correctly by running: 
				
					npm list -g vite
or for a local installation: 
				
					npm list vite

Reinstall Node.js and npm

Sometimes, issues with Node.js and npm installations can cause PATH problems. Reinstall Node.js, which also reinstalls npm, and ensure they are correctly set up.

Check for Conflicting Software

Ensure no other software is conflicting with the Vite command. Sometimes, other applications may have executables with the same name in the PATH.

Final Thoughts

The “Vite is not recognized as an internal or external command” error is typically due to Vite not being installed globally, PATH environment variable misconfigurations, or project-specific setup issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve this error and get back to developing with Vite efficiently. Whether you choose to install Vite globally or locally, ensure your PATH is correctly set up and that you are using the appropriate commands for your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Run vite --version in your terminal. If Vite is installed, this command will return the version number.

Try reinstalling Node.js and npm, then reinstall Vite. Also, ensure there are no conflicting software or commands in your PATH.

By following these detailed steps, you should be able to resolve the “Vite is not recognized as an internal or external command” error and continue using Vite for your web development projects.

Yes, you can use npx to run vue-cli-service without a global installation. This method runs the command directly from your project’s dependencies.

Written By,

Picture of Md Monayem Islam

Md Monayem Islam

Hey, I'm Md Monayem Islam. I’m a Full Stack Developer with extensive expertise in Laravel (PHP), Vue.js (TypeScript), and API development. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in building dynamic and scalable web applications. Previously, I worked on a variety of projects, creating robust solutions and enhancing the user experience for clients worldwide. Now, I’m here to share my knowledge and help you develop web applications.

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