diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e17f32fb..ffb07cce 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ To use the `express-cli` you have to execute the following steps.
 
 - [install aws cli](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/getting-started-install.html) or [install gcloud tool](https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install)
 - [install terraform](https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/terraform/install-cli) on your local machine
-- use [nvm](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm#installing-and-updating) to switch to the proper `node` version, `v16.17.1`,
+- use [nvm](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm#installing-and-updating) to switch to the proper `node` version, `v18.18.1`,
   by running `nvm use` from the root folder
 - install `express-cli` and `matic-cli` locally with command `npm i`
 - generate a keypair on AWS EC2 (in the same region being used, currently `eu-west-1` by default and download its certificate locally (`.pem` file). If you are on GCP, you can use your existing keypair or use `ssh-keygen` to generate. Check the [GCP guide](./docs/gcp_dev_guide.md).
@@ -339,11 +339,11 @@ Please, make sure to install the following software/packages on the VMs.
   - https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/
   - https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/)
 
-- Node v16.17.1 (only _host_)
+- Node v18.18.1 (only _host_)
 
   ```bash
   curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/master/install.sh | bash
-  nvm install 16.17.1
+  nvm install 18.18.1
   ```
 
 - Npm (only _host_)
diff --git a/src/express/commands/start.js b/src/express/commands/start.js
index c0ff4460..34fdcc49 100644
--- a/src/express/commands/start.js
+++ b/src/express/commands/start.js
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ async function installHostSpecificPackages(ip) {
                         export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
                         [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \\. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
                         [ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \\. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" && 
-                        nvm install 16.17.1`
+                        nvm install 18.18.1`
   await runSshCommand(ip, command, maxRetries)
 
   console.log('📍Installing solc...')
@@ -208,9 +208,9 @@ async function installHostSpecificPackages(ip) {
   await runSshCommand(ip, command, maxRetries)
 
   console.log('📍Creating symlink for npm and node...')
-  command = `sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v16.17.1/bin/npm /usr/bin/npm &&
-                    sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v16.17.1/bin/node /usr/bin/node &&
-                    sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v16.17.1/bin/npx /usr/bin/npx`
+  command = `sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.1/bin/npm /usr/bin/npm &&
+                    sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.1/bin/node /usr/bin/node &&
+                    sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.1/bin/npx /usr/bin/npx`
   await runSshCommand(ip, command, maxRetries)
 
   console.log('📍Installing ganache...')