diff --git a/src/ipc/handlers/capacitor_handlers.ts b/src/ipc/handlers/capacitor_handlers.ts
index 928eb9b..8c53e69 100644
--- a/src/ipc/handlers/capacitor_handlers.ts
+++ b/src/ipc/handlers/capacitor_handlers.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,20 @@ export function registerCapacitorHandlers() {
     async (_, { appId }: { appId: number }): Promise<boolean> => {
       const app = await getApp(appId);
       const appPath = getDyadAppPath(app.path);
+
+      // check for the required Node.js version before running any commands
+      const currentNodeVersion = process.version;
+      const majorVersion = parseInt(
+        currentNodeVersion.slice(1).split(".")[0],
+        10,
+      );
+
+      if (majorVersion < 20) {
+        // version is too old? stop and throw a clear error
+        throw new Error(
+          `Capacitor requires Node.js v20 or higher, but you are using ${currentNodeVersion}. Please upgrade your Node.js and try again.`,
+        );
+      }
       return isCapacitorInstalled(appPath);
     },
   );