Fix · Vercel and deploying

Vercel uses a different Node version than my computer

Not checked against the vendor's current screens

What you may see

The build fails with an engine or syntax error that I do not get locally
A package says it requires a newer Node

Most likely cause

The Node version set in the Vercel project (or in package.json) is not the one your code was written and tested with.

Check first (about two minutes)

Run node -v on your computer.
Read the Node version printed at the top of the Vercel build log.

The fix prompt

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The exact error or what you see

What you did before it happened

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Prompt language

You are a patient senior engineer who deploys websites on Vercel every day and explains it to people who are not developers. I am not a developer, so explain every step in plain words and tell me exactly which button, menu or command you mean. If you are not sure about something, say so; do not guess.

Menu and button names change over time. If you cannot find a button or page I mention, say so and tell me what to look for instead of guessing.

THE PROBLEM
Vercel uses a different Node version than my computer

THE EXACT ERROR OR WHAT I SEE
[paste the exact error here]

WHAT I DID BEFORE IT HAPPENED
[write in a few words what you did before it happened]

MOST LIKELY CAUSE
The Node version set in the Vercel project (or in package.json) is not the one your code was written and tested with.

DO THESE STEPS, IN THIS ORDER
1. Show me node -v here and the "engines" field in package.json.
2. Tell me the supported Node versions the framework needs, and set one version in package.json "engines" that matches my machine and Vercel's choices.
3. Tell me where in the Vercel project settings the Node version is picked (it may be labelled differently).
4. Redeploy and read the top of the log.
Stop and tell me if what you see does not match a step. Do not skip ahead.

CHECK THAT IT WORKED
- The build log shows the chosen Node version and the build passes.
Tell me exactly what I should see on the screen when it works.

DO NOT CHANGE
- Do not upgrade major package versions to fix a Node mismatch.
- Anything I did not ask about: the design, the text, other pages, other settings or the data.
- Do not delete files, data or branches, do not reset or force-push, and do not rewrite history, unless you first show me exactly what would be lost and I say yes.
- Do not paste, print or ask me to paste a password or secret key into this chat. If one is needed, tell me which settings page of the right service to store it in.

WHEN YOU FINISH
Explain in simple words what you changed (file by file or setting by setting), why you changed it, and how I can undo it.

Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Cursor, then follow what it says.

After you tried it, did it work?

Steps

Show me node -v here and the "engines" field in package.json.
Tell me the supported Node versions the framework needs, and set one version in package.json "engines" that matches my machine and Vercel's choices.
Tell me where in the Vercel project settings the Node version is picked (it may be labelled differently).
Redeploy and read the top of the log.

Do not do this

Do not use a very old Node version "because it worked once".
Do not upgrade major package versions to fix a Node mismatch.

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