# No nvm/Volta Coexistence Rule
## Rule
Only ONE Node.js version manager may be installed at a time. If using Volta, completely remove nvm, fnm, n, or nodenv. Running multiple version managers causes PATH conflicts and unpredictable behavior.
## Removal Checklist
### Remove nvm
```bash
# Remove nvm directory
rm -rf ~/.nvm
# Remove from shell config (.zshrc, .bashrc)
# Delete these lines:
# export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
# [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && source "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
```
### Remove fnm
```bash
rm -rf ~/.fnm
# Remove 'eval "$(fnm env)"' from shell config
```
### Remove n
```bash
npm uninstall -g n
rm -rf /usr/local/n
```
### Verify Clean State
```bash
# Should only show Volta's shim
which node # → ~/.volta/bin/node
which npm # → ~/.volta/bin/npm
# Should return nothing
command -v nvm # → (empty)
command -v fnm # → (empty)
```
## Good
```bash
# Only Volta installed
which node # ~/.volta/bin/node
volta list # Shows managed versions
```
## Bad
```bash
# Both installed — CONFLICT
which node # Could be nvm OR Volta depending on PATH order
nvm use 18 # Overrides Volta's pin!
```