How to Install Angular and Create Your First App (2026)

Quick answer: Install the Angular CLI once with npm install -g @angular/cli, then create a project with ng new my-app, enter the folder and run ng serve --open. The dev server starts with live reload on http://localhost:4200. That is the entire path from nothing to a running Angular app in 2026 — this guide also covers the version prerequisites, the files that matter, and the two errors beginners hit most.

Prerequisites: Node.js first

Angular needs an up-to-date Node.js LTS. Check with node -v; if the command fails or the version is old, install the current LTS from nodejs.org. Modern Angular versions require Node 18 or later — if the CLI complains about your Node version, this is why.

The three commands

npm install -g @angular/cli
ng new my-app
cd my-app
ng serve --open

During ng new the CLI asks two questions: stylesheet format (choose CSS unless your team uses something else) and SSR (answer No for learning — server-side rendering is a production concern you can add later). The browser opens automatically at http://localhost:4200 and reloads on every save.

The files that matter in src/

File	Role
src/main.ts	Bootstraps the app — rarely touched
src/app/app.component.ts	Root component: template + logic
src/app/app.component.html	Root template — start editing here
src/styles.css	Global styles

Change something in app.component.html, save, and the browser updates instantly — that loop is where all Angular learning happens. Modern Angular (v17+) also offers standalone components and a new control-flow syntax (@if, @for), which you will see in freshly generated code.

The two beginner errors, fixed

Error	Cause and fix
ng: command not found	The global install did not reach your PATH. Close and reopen the terminal; if it persists, reinstall with npm install -g @angular/cli and check for permission errors.
The Angular CLI requires a minimum Node.js version	Your Node is too old for the CLI. Upgrade to the current LTS from nodejs.org, verify with node -v, then retry.

Where to go next: our guide to scrollable tables in Angular Material shows the component library in action, and the responsive grid guide covers layout.

For guided, instructor-led Angular learning with real projects, Ampersand Academy teaches Angular one-to-one.

Frequently asked questions