Node.js 24 Released: What’s New and Why It Matters

Node.js 24 is here, bringing exciting new features and improvements that enhance performance, security, and the overall developer experience. With updates like a more powerful V8 engine and faster package management through npm 11, this release makes it easier for developers to create efficient and robust applications.

Whether you’re already using Node.js or considering making the switch, understanding Node.js 24 features is crucial. Here, I’ll walk you through the key changes in this release, how Node.js upgrade benefits developers, and why upgrading is a smart move. Read on.

What’s New in Node.js 24: Key Features and Improvements

1. V8 Engine Upgrade to 13.6

What’s new?
Node.js 24 includes the latest V8 engine version 13.6, which introduces several useful JavaScript features and improves performance:

• Efficient Numeric Computing with Float16Array:
  The new Float16Array type supports 16-bit floating point numbers. This allows your applications to use less memory and run faster when working with large amounts of numeric data. It is especially helpful for graphics, scientific calculations, and machine learning tasks where performance matters.
• Safer Regular Expressions Using RegExp.escape()
  The RegExp.escape() method helps you safely escape special characters in any string before using it in a regular expression. This reduces the risk of errors or unintended matches and protects against injection vulnerabilities when processing dynamic input.
• Simplified Error Checking with Error.isError():
  The new Error.isError() method provides a simple and reliable way to check if a value is an error object. This makes your error handling code cleaner and easier to understand, especially in large codebases or complex applications.
• Support for Larger Memory in WebAssembly with Memory64:
  The WebAssembly Memory64 feature allows your WebAssembly modules to address 64-bit memory spaces. This is important for running larger or more complex applications efficiently inside Node.js, enabling better performance for tasks like gaming, simulations, or data processing.
• Improved Resource Management through New APIs:
  The new explicit resource management APIs give you more control over how your application allocates and frees resources. This helps reduce memory leaks and improve the stability and performance of your Node.js applications, especially in long-running or resource-intensive environments.

Code Example:

// Using RegExp.escape (ES2024 feature)
const unsafeString = "Hello. How are you?";
const escaped = RegExp.escape(unsafeString);
const regex = new RegExp(escaped);
console.log(regex.test("Hello. How are you?")); // true    

How does this benefit developers?

• Improves application efficiency by reducing memory use and speeding up numeric processing.
• Enhances security and reduces bugs when working with dynamic regular expressions.
• Simplifies and strengthens error handling, making your code more robust.
• Enables building larger and more complex WebAssembly-powered applications.
• Helps maintain stable and high-performing applications by preventing resource leaks.

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2. npm 11 Integration

What’s new?
Node.js 24 includes npm 11 by default, bringing several improvements that make managing Node.js packages faster, safer, and more efficient:

• Faster Package Installs:
  Speeds up your development workflow by reducing the time it takes to install dependencies.
• Improved Package Resolution:
  Minimizes conflicts and ensures smoother handling of Node.js package dependencies.
• Enhanced Security Features:
  Provides stronger protections to safeguard your projects from vulnerabilities.
• Comprehensive Audit Tools:
  Makes it easier to identify and fix security risks within your Node.js packages.

How does this benefit developers?

• Faster and safer management of Node.js packages speeds up development.
• Reduces delays caused by dependency problems.
• Better package resolution means fewer conflicts and more reliable builds.
• Enhanced audit tools make it easier to find and fix security issues.
• Keeps your projects secure and up-to-date.

You May Also Read: Debug Node.js Applications Like a Pro: Key Tips & Techniques

3. Windows Build System Change: ClangCL Compiler Required

What’s new?
In the Node.js 24 release, support for the MSVC compiler on Windows has been removed. ClangCL is now required to build Node.js on Windows. This updates the build process to use modern tools and standards.

• New Compiler Requirement:
  Node.js 24 uses ClangCL instead of MSVC for Windows builds.
• Faster Builds and Better Errors:
  ClangCL improves build speed and gives clearer error messages.
• Better Toolchain Alignment:
  This change aligns Windows builds with LLVM-based tools used on other platforms.
• Developer Transition:
  Windows developers need to update their build tools and pipelines to ClangCL.

How does this benefit developers?

• Speeds up build times and improves build diagnostics.
• Ensures long-term support and easier maintenance.
• Reduces future build problems with modern toolchains.

4. AsyncLocalStorage Uses AsyncContextFrame by Default

What’s new?
Node.js 24 changes AsyncLocalStorage to use AsyncContextFrame by default. This improves how async context is tracked and passed through your code:

• Default AsyncContextFrame:
  AsyncLocalStorage now uses AsyncContextFrame internally.
• Better Context Propagation:
  Data flows more reliably across async calls.
• Improved Performance and Stability:
  Async operations run smoother and with fewer errors.

Code Example:

const { AsyncLocalStorage } = require('async_hooks');
const asyncLocalStorage = new AsyncLocalStorage();
asyncLocalStorage.run(new Map(), () => {
    asyncLocalStorage.getStore().set('requestId', 123);
    setTimeout(() => {
    console.log(asyncLocalStorage.getStore().get('requestId')); // 123
    }, 100);
});

How does this benefit developers?

• Ensures the async context is passed consistently.
• Helps with better tracing and logging.
• Makes apps with complex async flows more stable.

You May Also Read: Top 10 Node.js IDEs for Developers in 2025: Key Features, Pros, and Cons

5. Global Exposure of URLPattern API

What’s new?
Node.js 24 makes the URLPattern API available globally. You no longer need to import it. This API helps match and parse URLs using patterns:

• Available Everywhere:
  URLPattern can be used directly in your code.
• Easy URL Matching:
  Match URL paths and get parameters with clear patterns.

Code Example:

const pattern = new URLPattern('/users/:id');
console.log(pattern.test('/users/42')); // true
console.log(pattern.exec('/users/42').pathname.groups.id); // "42"

How does this benefit developers?

• Removes the need for extra URL libraries.
• Simplifies routing and URL validation code.
• Makes code easier to read and maintain.

6. Test Runner Improvements

What’s new?
Node.js 24 updates the test runner to automatically wait for subtests to finish. This removes the need to manually use await for subtests, simplifying test writing:

• Automatic Waiting for Subtests:
  The test runner now handles waiting for subtests to complete on its own.
• Simplified Async Testing:
  You don’t need extra await calls for nested or asynchronous tests.

Code Example:

import { test } from 'node:test';
test('parent test', async (t) => {
await t.test('subtest 1', () => {
// synchronous assertions
});
// No need to manually await subtest 2 anymore
t.test('subtest 2', () => {
// some async assertions
});
});

How does this benefit developers?

• Reduces repetitive code and boilerplate.
• Makes asynchronous test patterns easier to write and read.
• Improves reliability and clarity of complex test suites with nested tests.

7. Undici 7 Integration (HTTP Client)

What’s new?
By default, Node.js 24 uses Undici 7 for HTTP requests. Undici is a modern, high-performance HTTP client. It now has better support for HTTP/2 and improved performance:

• Modern HTTP Client:
  Undici 7 offers fast and efficient HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 support.
• Improved Performance:
  It handles requests and responses with less overhead.

Code Example:

import { request } from 'undici';
const { statusCode, body } = await request('https://api.example.com/data');
console.log(statusCode); // 200
for await (const chunk of body) {
    console.log(chunk.toString());
}

How does this benefit developers?

• Provides a reliable and fast HTTP client built for modern web protocols.
• Helps build high-performance network applications like APIs, proxies, and microservices.

You May Also Read: Top 8 Reasons Node.js Is Perfect for Building Real-Time Applications

Major Deprecations and Removals in Node.js 24

Node.js’ latest release removes and deprecates several legacy APIs to strengthen security and encourage adoption of modern, standardized practices. These updates help ensure Node.js remains robust, secure, and compatible with evolving JavaScript standards.

• url.parse() Deprecated: The legacy url.parse() method is now deprecated in favor of the WHATWG-compliant URL API. The newer API offers better standards compliance, improved parsing accuracy, and more consistent behavior across platforms. Node.js developers are advised to migrate to this modern API to future-proof their applications and benefit from better interoperability.
• tls.createSecurePair Removed: This older TLS API was less secure and harder to maintain. Its removal helps eliminate potential security vulnerabilities. Developers should switch to the recommended TLS APIs, which provide stronger encryption and improved performance, ensuring secure communication in Node.js applications.
• SlowBuffer Deprecated: The use of SlowBuffer is discouraged because it bypasses important safety checks. Instead, Node.js developers should use Buffer.alloc or Buffer.allocUnsafe, which provide better control over memory allocation and help prevent security issues related to uninitialized memory access.
• Deprecated Instantiation Without new: Instantiating REPL and Zlib classes without the new keyword is no longer supported. This change promotes clearer, more consistent object creation patterns, reducing bugs and improving maintainability in large codebases.

Why does this matter?

• Migrating away from deprecated APIs helps developers avoid unexpected runtime errors when upgrading Node.js versions, ensuring smoother transitions.
• It reduces security risks by eliminating the use of outdated or vulnerable interfaces.
• Adopting modern, standardized APIs leads to more maintainable, interoperable, and future-proof codebases.
• Staying current with these deprecations allows teams to take full advantage of performance and security improvements in the latest Node.js releases.

By aligning your projects with these changes, you ensure safer and more stable Node.js development moving forward.

Things to Do After Migrating to Node.js 24

After upgrading to Node.js 24, follow these steps to ensure that your application runs smoothly with the latest release:

• Check API Compatibility:
  Review your code for any deprecated or removed APIs, such as url.parse() or tls.createSecurePair. Update your code to use the newer, more secure alternatives provided by Node.js 24.
• Run Full Tests:
  Perform regression tests across the entire application to check for any issues introduced during the migration. Pay close attention to areas affected by breaking changes, like changes to async handling or the test runner.
• Update Dependencies:
  Verify that all of your npm packages are compatible with Node.js 24. Run npm audit to scan for known vulnerabilities and update any outdated packages that may cause compatibility issues.
• Adjust Build and Deployment Scripts:
  Update your build tools, particularly for Windows environments, as Node.js 24 now requires the ClangCL compiler. Make sure that your CI/CD pipelines are adjusted to work with this new setup to avoid build failures.
• Optimize Performance:
  Optimizing Node.js performance for faster and more efficient applications is a key benefit of version 24. The new Undici 7 HTTP client improves the speed of network requests. After migration, run benchmarks to evaluate performance gains and identify any areas that can still be optimized.
• Update Documentation:
  Revise your internal documentation to reflect changes in the development process and tooling brought by Node.js 24. This ensures your team is aligned with the updated environment and best practices.
• Monitor Application Health:
  After migration, monitor application logs, performance metrics, and error reports for unexpected behavior or issues that could arise from the upgrade and resolve them quickly to ensure ongoing stability.

You May Also Read: Ready for Launch? How to Prepare Your Node.js Application for Production

Final Thoughts

Node.js 24 introduces powerful new features and improvements that enhance performance, security, and the developer experience. With updates like the upgraded V8 engine, npm 11 integration, and improved async handling, this latest release provides developers with the tools needed to build faster, more reliable applications. The removal of legacy APIs and the inclusion of cutting-edge tools like the Undici 7 HTTP client also create a more secure and efficient development environment.

As you migrate to Node.js 24, ensure your application stays optimized by taking full advantage of these enhancements. By following the migration steps and using the new features, you can improve your applications’ performance and security.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I migrate to Node.js 24?

To migrate to Node.js 24, developers need to check compatibility with deprecated APIs, run full regression tests, update dependencies, and adjust build scripts, especially for Windows environments. After migration, developers should monitor the health of their applications and address any issues that arise.

2. Is it safe to upgrade to Node.js 24 immediately?

While upgrading to Node.js 24 offers many benefits, it’s important to test your application thoroughly before upgrading. You should check for deprecated APIs, update dependencies, and adjust your build and deployment scripts to align with the latest changes in the release.

3. Are there any breaking changes in Node.js 24?

Yes, Node.js 24 introduces several breaking changes. These include the removal of the MSVC compiler for Windows, mandatory use of ClangCL, and the deprecation of certain legacy APIs like url.parse() and tls.createSecurePair().

4. How does Node.js 24 handle real-time applications?

Node.js 24 improves performance for real-time applications with better handling of concurrency and async operations. Features like improved async context tracking and faster HTTP clients help with low-latency communication, which is critical for real-time applications like chat systems, live data feeds, and gaming servers.

5. What impact does Node.js 24 have on microservices?

With improvements like Undici 7 and AsyncContextFrame, Node.js 24 makes it easier to build high-performance microservices. The enhanced HTTP client and better async management help ensure that microservices can communicate efficiently and reliably, even under heavy loads.

Aniruddh Bhattacharya, Project Manager

A Project Manager with over 13 years of experience, Aniruddh combines his technical expertise as a former developer with strong project management skills. His meticulous approach to planning, execution, and stakeholder management ensures outstanding project results. Aniruddh’s innovative leadership drives project success and excellence in the tech industry.