# Getting Started

The ethers.js library is a compact and complete JavaScript library for Ethereum.

## Installing in Node.js

Install the ethers.js library from your project directory:

    /home/ricmoo/my-project> npm install --save ethers

### Importing

JavaScript (ES3)

    var ethers = require('ethers');

JavaScript (ES5 or ES6)

    const ethers = require('ethers');

JavaScript (ES6) / TypeScript

    import { ethers } from 'ethers';

## Including in Web Applications

For security purposes, it is usually best to place a copy of this script on the application’s server, but for a quick prototype using the Ethers CDN (content distribution network) should suffice.

HTML

    <!-- This exposes the library as a global variable: ethers -->
    <script src="https://cdn.ethers.io/scripts/ethers-v4.min.js"
            charset="utf-8"
            type="text/javascript">
    </script>