> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://blocknote-js.gitbook.io/doc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://blocknote-js.gitbook.io/doc/blocknote/install.md).

# Install

## NodeJS or Bun ?

Bun is a modern alternative to Node.js, known for its superior performance, especially in compute-heavy tasks. Since Blocknote.js makes extensive use of cryptography and compression, we recommend using Bun for optimal speed and efficiency.\
In fact, our current public dapp ([blocknote.space](https://blocknote.app)) is running on Bun.

Blocknote.js remains **fully compatible** with both Bun and Node.js.

## Install Bun

`npm i bun`

Or visit <https://bun.com/docs/installation> for alternated installations.

***

## Install package

Blocknote is available on <https://www.npmjs.com/package/blocknote>

`npm i blocknote`&#x20;

## The .env file

Before using Blocknote.js, make sure to edit your .env file.\
There is an .env.example file into the github repo.

```dotenv
PRIVATE_KEY_AES = "" # Use by the BlocknoteManager
SQLITE_DATABASE_PATH = "./db/"  # Use by the BlocknoteManager
ALGOD_URL = "https://testnet-api.algonode.cloud" 
ALGOD_TOKEN = 
ALGOD_PORT = 
INDEXER_TOKEN = 
INDEXER_PORT = 
INDEXER_URL = "https://testnet-idx.algonode.cloud"
```

Since Node.js now supports native handling of `.env` files, Blocknote is not using the `dotenv` library. To ensure proper functionality, run Node.js with the appropriate argument.

`node your-app.js --env-file=.env`

or

`bun your-app.js --env-file=.env`