# How to set up your first Nest.js project

Nest.Js is a progressive Node.Js framework used for building efficient, reliable, and scalable server-side applications. Nest.js- under the hood provides an abstraction for the [Express](https://expressjs.com/)/[Fastify](https://www.fastify.io/) frameworks, providing you with an architecture you wouldn't find in the express framework.  [Nest.Js](https://nestjs.com/) is not to be confused with [Next.Js](https://nextjs.org/) which is a frontend react framework for production. If you are interested in learning how to set up a Next.Js project you can read this article here.

Let's get you started..

So you've finally decided to go with nest.js and you intend to set up your first project, in order to do that here's what you need:


- Node.js latest version

- Nest.Js CLI

> To install the Nest.js CLI  use this command: ` $ npm i -g @nestjs/cli `



Once you have installed the above requirements, you now have the opportunity to use the Nest.Js CLI, with this you can scaffold a new Nest.Js project with just a single command  ` Nest new  [New project name] `.

Here's how to do it.

**Step 1**

Open your terminal in the directory you want your project to be stored in.
For example, the screenshot below shows mine open in a directory named " learn_nestjs_with_apis ".

![Open terminal in dir.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667610152239/pFveLUyRI.png align="left")


**Step 2**

Type the following command into your terminal 
` Nest new  [New project name] ` replace  **[New project name]** with the name of your new project like the screenshot below:

![instllnest.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667590857476/DJuXcE2xV.png align="left")

**Step 3**

Pick your preferred package manager.
I'd pick NPM for this article, as seen in the screenshot below.

![pickapackagemanager.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667609722818/aRD_Redvl.png align="left")

allow packages to install

![installprogressnpmnest.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667609763328/KO0G-mxgO.png align="left")

once that is done you should see this in your terminal 

![installcompletenestjsproject.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667609816165/lt8IqB_gb.png align="left")

One last thing!
You need to verify your folder structure to ensure the installation was correct, take a look at the folder structure below, that's what yours should look like.

![Nestjs folder structure.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667609954822/10kYUEmWs.png align="left")

Then finally you can start your project by running this command 
` npm  run start:dev `


![projectstartnest.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667636188951/rH5eQlUdF.png align="left")


![started.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1667636206222/z4OYceSM0.png align="left")

**Congratulations**! you've successfully set up your first Nest.js project!

Thank you for reading, please do follow for more articles