I now know one can't create a virtual environment (VENV) using WebStorm, so apparently the only option available for creating a VENV for a Node.js application is 'nodeenv'.
Has anyone already had success using nodeenv to create a VENV for Node.js and then using that VENV as part of a WebStorm-based project? If so, would you please outline the steps taken to use a VENV with WebStorm?
Using WebStorm2021.2 on Ubuntu 18.04.
So...I figured it out! Here are the steps:
1. Installed python-based virtualenv using: sudo apt-get install virtualenv
2. Open WebStorm
1) Left-click on ‘New Project’ button
2) Navigate to directory where you want to put your project
3) Left-click on ‘New Folder’ icon
4) Type in the name of your project
5) Left-click ‘Ok’
6) Left-click ‘Create’
3. Open terminal in WebStorm
1) ‘(base)’ will be showing on the left
2) type ‘vitrtualenv wrapper_env (but one may type any name to replace ’wrapper_env' for the virtual environment)
3) type '. wrapper_env/bin/activate
4) ‘(wrapper_env) (base)’ will be showing on the left (required to install and use nodeenv)
5) type ‘pip install nodeenv’
1- Successfully installed nodeenv-1.6.0
6) type ‘nodeenv nodejs_env’ (but one may type any name to replace ’nodejs_env' for the virtual environment)
1- * Install prebuilt node (16.6.2) ..... done. (The latest node and npm versions are automatically installed)
7) type ‘. nodejs_env/bin/activate’
8) ‘(nodejs_env) (wrapper_env) (base)’ will be showing on the left
9) type ‘node -v’ to verify node
1- v16.6.2
10) type ‘npm -v’ to verify node package manager
1- 7.20.3
11) Change settings in WebStorm by: (must be done whenever a new nodeenv environment is created)
1- Setting>Languages & Frameworks>Node.js and NPM
1> Left-click on drop-down arrow on right side of ‘Node interpreter:’ line
1. Left-click on ‘Add...’
2. Left-click on ‘Add Local...’ and navigate to where the ‘node’ interpreter is within deep_env/bin
2> The ‘Package manager:’ line should be automatically updated with the compatible npm
12) Deactivate both virtual environments by:
1- Type ‘deactivate_node’ (deactivates nodejs_env)
1> ‘(wrapper_env) (base)’ will be showing on the left
2- Type ‘deactivate’ (deactivates wrapper_env)
1> ‘(base)’ will be showing on the left
13) Close project
14) Open project having a nodeenv virtual environment already created
15) Open terminal in WebStorm:
1- (base) will be showing on the left
2- type ‘. nodejs_env/bin/activate’
1> (nodejs_env) (base) will be showing on the left
16) When done with work session:
1- Type ‘deactivate_node’
2- Close project