Node.js 26 becomes the new long-term support release

Node.js 26.13.0, codenamed "Lithium," shipped on October 28 and marks the transition of the Node.js 26.x line into Long Term Support status. The LTS branch will continue receiving updates through the end of April 2029. Beyond updating internal release metadata, such as the process.release object, to reflect the new LTS status, this release includes no other changes from the prior 26.12.1 release.

The release notes remind anyone upgrading from an earlier LTS line, such as Node.js 24 or 22, that since Node.js 25 the official Linux binaries are linked against libatomic, which may need to be installed separately depending on the Linux distribution in use.

Installers and binaries are available for Windows, macOS (both Intel and Apple Silicon), and multiple Linux architectures, along with source code and documentation for the release.

Why it matters

Teams running production Node.js apps now have a new LTS branch to plan upgrades around through 2029.

Source: Node.js