# Introduction

Getting started with Nuxt 3 is straightforward.

::alert{type=warning icon=🚧}
Nuxt 3 is currently in beta, keep in mind that **it is not yet production ready**.<br>
Thank you in advance for your understanding 💛
::

## What is Nuxt?

If this is the first time you're learning about Nuxt or you want to get more familiar with Nuxt 3, we recommend you begin by reading the [Concepts section](/concepts).

## Prerequisites

Before getting started, please make sure you have installed the recommended setup.

* **Node.js**<sup>*</sup> (latest LTS version) 👉 [[Download](https://nodejs.org/en/download/)]
* **Visual Studio Code** 👉 [[Download](https://code.visualstudio.com/)]
* **Volar Extension** 👉 [[Download](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=johnsoncodehk.volar)]

<sup>*</sup> If you already have Node.js installed, check with `node --version` that you are using `v14` or `v16`.

## Nuxt 3 or Bridge?

Next, decide whether to start from scratch or upgrade an existing Nuxt 2 project.

### Starting a fresh Nuxt project

::list{type=info}
- Enjoy using Vue 3
- All the new composables are available
- New templating system and conventions are enabled
::

::alert{icon=👉}
Checkout the [Installation section](/getting-started/installation).
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### Migrating a Nuxt 2 project

If you have an existing Nuxt 2 project, we **strongly recommend** you begin by using Nuxt Bridge. This way you can try most new features while keeping breaking changes to a minimum.

::list{type=info}
- It's risk free! You can always remove the module from your config
- Makes your project (almost) ready for Nuxt 3
- Enjoy new DX improvements without major rewrites for Vue 3
- Use Nitro engine for platform-agnostic and optimized deployments
- Help us stabilize Nuxt 3 and discover flaws
- Nuxt Bridge is more stable than Nuxt 3 at the moment
::

::alert{icon=👉}
Checkout the [Bridge installation section](/getting-started/bridge).
::

### ‍Comparison

In the table below, there is a quick comparison between 3 versions of nuxt:

Feature / Version        | Nuxt 2          | Nuxt Bridge      | Nuxt 3
-------------------------|-----------------|------------------|---------
Stability                | 😊 Stable      | 😌 Semi-stable   | 😬 Unstable
Performance              | 🏎 Fast        | ✈️ Faster  | 🚀 Fastest
Nitro Engine             | ❌             | ✅               | ✅
ESM support              | 🌙 Partial     | 👍 Better        | ✅
TypeScript               | ☑️ Opt-in      | 🚧 Faster        | ✅
Composition API          | ⚠️ Deprecated  | ✅               | ✅
Options API              | ✅             | ✅               | ✅ (not recommended)
Components Auto Import   | ✅             | ✅               | ✅
`<script setup>` syntax  | ❌             | 🚧 Partial       | ✅
Auto Imports             | ❌             | ✅               | ✅
Webpack                  | 4              | 4                | 5
Vite                     | ⚠️ Partial     | 🚧 Partial       | 🚧 Experimental
Nuxi CLI                 | ❌ Old         | ✅ nuxi          | ✅ nuxi
Static sites             | ✅             | ✅               | 🚧