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Guide · Open source

How to use Vue: install Vue 2 and what to know first

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Vue is a JavaScript framework for building web user interfaces. This guide covers the vuejs/vue repository, which holds Vue 2, and explains how to install it with npm. It also makes clear that Vue 2 has reached End of Life, so you can decide whether to keep maintaining an existing app or start on Vue 3.

Vuevuejs/vue · ★ 212k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm Vue 2 is the right version. Check that you are maintaining an existing Vue 2 app or studying Vue 2. For new projects, the README directs you to Vue 3 instead.
  2. 2Check your compliance needs. If you have compliance or security rules for unmaintained software, read the README's note on Vue 2 NES before going further.
  3. 3Install the Vue 2 package. In your project folder, run npm install vue@2 to add the Vue 2 package from npm.
  4. 4Check browser support. Confirm your target browsers are ES5-compliant, since the README says IE8 and below are not supported.
  5. 5Read the Vue 2 docs. Use the live examples and documentation on the official Vue site to learn the framework.
  6. 6Plan your upgrade path. Review the migration guide linked in the README so you can move to Vue 3 when your team has capacity.

What is Vue 2 and what is its status?

Vue (pronounced like "view") is a progressive framework for building user interfaces. It is designed to be adopted incrementally and can work as a small library or a full framework for large single-page applications.

The vuejs/vue repository is for Vue 2. Vue 2 reached End of Life on December 31st, 2023 and no longer receives new features, updates, or fixes. It is still available through existing distribution channels such as CDNs, package managers, and GitHub.

  • Vue 2 is licensed under MIT.
  • The repository is written in TypeScript.
  • New projects should start with the latest Vue (3.x) from the vuejs/core repository.

Install Vue 2 with npm

The README gives one install command for the Vue 2 package from npm. The source lists no separate prerequisites. Run the command in your project folder.

npm install vue@2

Know the browser support limits

Vue 2 supports all browsers that are ES5-compliant. According to the README, IE8 and below are not supported. Check this against your audience before you build on it.

Find documentation, examples and support

Live examples and documentation are on the official Vue site, with Vue 2 docs under v2.vuejs.org. For questions and support, the README points to the official forum and community chat. The issue list in this repo is only for bug reports and feature requests, so do not use it for general help.

  • Forum: forum.vuejs.org
  • Community chat: chat.vuejs.org
  • Release notes: the releases page of vuejs/vue

Know the ecosystem packages

The README lists companion projects that help with routing, state, scaffolding, and more. Check each project's status before adding it to a Vue 2 app.

  • vue-router: single-page application routing
  • vuex: large-scale state management
  • vue-cli: project scaffolding
  • vue-loader: loader for *.vue single file components with webpack
  • vue-server-renderer: server-side rendering support
  • vue-class-component: TypeScript decorator for a class-based API
  • vue-rx: RxJS integration
  • vue-devtools: browser DevTools extension

Decide whether to stay on Vue 2 or upgrade

The README strongly recommends that current Vue 2 users upgrade, and links to a migration guide. It also acknowledges that not every team has the time or reason to do so.

If you must stay on Vue 2 and have compliance or security requirements for unmaintained software, the README mentions a paid extended-support option called Vue 2 NES from HeroDevs. This repo alone does not provide that support.

  • Stay on Vue 2 if you maintain an existing app you cannot upgrade yet.
  • Upgrade to Vue 3 if you can, using the migration guide linked in the README.
  • Use Vue 2 source and docs to study how it was structured.

What people use it for

  • Maintaining a production Vue 2 application that cannot be upgraded yet
  • Studying how Vue 2 was structured by reading its source
  • Reading Vue 2 documentation to support an existing codebase
  • Reviewing the Vue 2 single file component workflow with vue-loader

Frequently asked questions

Is Vue 2 still supported?

No. The README says Vue 2 reached End of Life on December 31st, 2023 and no longer receives new features, updates, or fixes. It remains available on existing distribution channels.

How do I install Vue 2?

Run npm install vue@2 in your project folder. The README gives this as the install command for the Vue 2 package from npm.

Is Vue free to use?

The repository is licensed under MIT, as the README states. Check the license file in the repo for the full terms.

Should I use Vue 2 or Vue 3 for a new project?

Use Vue 3. The README says that if you are starting a new project, you should begin with the latest version of Vue (3.x), which is maintained in vuejs/core.

What can I use if I must stay on Vue 2 for security reasons?

The README mentions Vue 2 NES, a paid extended-support option from HeroDevs, for teams with compliance or security requirements for unmaintained software. This repo alone does not provide that.

Where do I get help with Vue 2 problems?

Use the official Vue forum or community chat, as listed in the README. The GitHub issue list is only for bug reports and feature requests.

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Our verdict

Use this repo if you maintain an existing Vue 2 app that you cannot upgrade yet, or if you want to study Vue 2 source and docs. Choose Vue 3 for new work, or a comparable framework such as React, Svelte, or Angular if you want an actively maintained option from the start.

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