diff --git a/.nvmrc b/.nvmrc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9e15be387
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.nvmrc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+v16.20.0
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index e2dd1ab53..0e8e90f36 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Just [start a discussion](https://github.com/timostamm/protobuf-ts/discussions/n
 
 ### Building this project 
 
-Building and testing this project requires `node` (14.5.0), `npm`, `protoc` (3.12.3), 
+Building and testing this project requires `node`, `npm`, `protoc`, 
 `make`, `git`, and `go`.  
 
 - `go` is required for the Twirp transport client compatibility test suite
diff --git a/MANUAL.md b/MANUAL.md
index 30cdacb85..8d354fb4c 100644
--- a/MANUAL.md
+++ b/MANUAL.md
@@ -1430,7 +1430,7 @@ size comparison.
 
 ## Running in Node.js
 
-`protobuf-ts` is tested with Node.js version 14.5.0. 
+`protobuf-ts` is tested with Node.js version 16.20.0. 
 
 Older versions certainly work, but may not support all features or require polyfills. 
 For example, if you target lower than ES2020 to run in an older node version, you