diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/.nvmrc b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/.nvmrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 3f430af82b3d..000000000000
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/.nvmrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-v18
diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/package.json b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/package.json
index 60e4dd3738b1..d40992f2f0ac 100644
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/package.json
+++ b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsa/package.json
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
     "root": true
   },
   "engines": {
-    "node": "=20.x",
-    "yarn": ">=1.22.21"
+    "node": "=20.x"
   },
   "prisma": {
     "seed": "yarn rw exec seed"
diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/.nvmrc b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/.nvmrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 3f430af82b3d..000000000000
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/.nvmrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-v18
diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/package.json b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/package.json
index 6416ecdeea35..d98cfc67601b 100644
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/package.json
+++ b/__fixtures__/test-project-rsc-external-packages/package.json
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
     "root": true
   },
   "engines": {
-    "node": "=20.x",
-    "yarn": ">=1.22.21"
+    "node": "=20.x"
   },
   "prisma": {
     "seed": "yarn rw exec seed"
diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project/.nvmrc b/__fixtures__/test-project/.nvmrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 9a2a0e219c9b..000000000000
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project/.nvmrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-v20
diff --git a/__fixtures__/test-project/package.json b/__fixtures__/test-project/package.json
index 25e637ddcff7..1ab4a33bedab 100644
--- a/__fixtures__/test-project/package.json
+++ b/__fixtures__/test-project/package.json
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
     "root": true
   },
   "engines": {
-    "node": "=20.x",
-    "yarn": ">=1.22.21"
+    "node": "=20.x"
   },
   "prisma": {
     "seed": "yarn rw exec seed"
diff --git a/docs/docs/tutorial/chapter1/prerequisites.md b/docs/docs/tutorial/chapter1/prerequisites.md
index a29c425adc04..2fe986a41784 100644
--- a/docs/docs/tutorial/chapter1/prerequisites.md
+++ b/docs/docs/tutorial/chapter1/prerequisites.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ You could definitely learn them all at once, but it will be harder to determine
 
 ### Redwood Versions
 
-You will want to be on at least version 5.0.0 to complete the tutorial. If this is your first time using Redwood then no worries: the latest version will be installed automatically when you create your app skeleton!
+You will want to be on at least version 7.0.0 to complete the tutorial. If this is your first time using Redwood then no worries: the latest version will be installed automatically when you create your app skeleton!
 
 If you have an existing site created with a prior version, you'll need to upgrade and (most likely) apply code modifications. Follow this two step process:
 
diff --git a/docs/docs/tutorial/foreword.md b/docs/docs/tutorial/foreword.md
index ec1f1810ed40..7fd872c1adfb 100644
--- a/docs/docs/tutorial/foreword.md
+++ b/docs/docs/tutorial/foreword.md
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ It's usually something that goes into more detail about a specific point, refers
 
 :::info
 
-This tutorial assumes you are using version 5.0.0 or greater of RedwoodJS.
+This tutorial assumes you are using version 7.0.0 or greater of RedwoodJS.
 
 :::
 
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/build.js b/packages/cli/src/commands/build.js
index 5c7cb6ffffb3..d38568f6ba96 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/build.js
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/build.js
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import terminalLink from 'terminal-link'
 
+import c from '../lib/colors'
+import { exitWithError } from '../lib/exit'
 import { sides } from '../lib/project'
-import checkForBabelConfig from '../middleware/checkForBabelConfig'
+import { checkNodeVersion } from '../middleware/checkNodeVersion'
 
 export const command = 'build [side..]'
 export const description = 'Build for production'
@@ -47,7 +49,18 @@ export const builder = (yargs) => {
       default: false,
       description: 'Measure build performance',
     })
-    .middleware(checkForBabelConfig)
+    .middleware(() => {
+      const check = checkNodeVersion()
+
+      if (check.ok) {
+        return
+      }
+
+      exitWithError(undefined, {
+        message: `${c.error('Error')}: ${check.message}`,
+        includeEpilogue: false,
+      })
+    })
     .epilogue(
       `Also see the ${terminalLink(
         'Redwood CLI Reference',
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/dev.js b/packages/cli/src/commands/dev.js
index a9970971370a..de9b2946bb22 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/dev.js
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/dev.js
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import terminalLink from 'terminal-link'
 
-import checkForBabelConfig from '../middleware/checkForBabelConfig'
+import c from '../lib/colors'
+import { checkNodeVersion } from '../middleware/checkNodeVersion'
 
 export const command = 'dev [side..]'
 export const description = 'Start development servers for api, and web'
+
 export const builder = (yargs) => {
   yargs
     .positional('side', {
@@ -32,7 +34,15 @@ export const builder = (yargs) => {
       description:
         'Port on which to expose API server debugger. If you supply the flag with no value it defaults to 18911.',
     })
-    .middleware(checkForBabelConfig)
+    .middleware(() => {
+      const check = checkNodeVersion()
+
+      if (check.ok) {
+        return
+      }
+
+      console.warn(`${c.warning('Warning')}: ${check.message}\n`)
+    })
     .epilogue(
       `Also see the ${terminalLink(
         'Redwood CLI Reference',
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/__tests__/__snapshots__/netlify.test.js.snap b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/__tests__/__snapshots__/netlify.test.js.snap
index 35eb1324ffe4..10ceee2e1564 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/__tests__/__snapshots__/netlify.test.js.snap
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/__tests__/__snapshots__/netlify.test.js.snap
@@ -6,22 +6,27 @@ exports[`netlify should add netlify.toml 1`] = `
   publish = "web/dist"
   functions = "api/dist/functions"
 
-[dev]
-  # To use [Netlify Dev](https://www.netlify.com/products/dev/),
-  # install netlify-cli from https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
-  # and then use netlify link https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
-  # to connect your local project to a site already on Netlify
-  # then run netlify dev and our app will be accessible on the port specified below
-  framework = "redwoodjs"
-  # Set targetPort to the [web] side port as defined in redwood.toml
-  targetPort = 8910
-  # Point your browser to this port to access your RedwoodJS app
-  port = 8888
+  [build.environment]
+    NODE_VERSION = "20"
 
 [[redirects]]
   from = "/*"
   to = "/200.html"
   status = 200
+
+# To use Netlify Dev, install Netlify's CLI (\`netlify-cli\`) from NPM and use \`netlify link\`
+# to connect your local project to a site on Netlify. Then run \`netlify dev\`.
+#
+# Quick links to the docs:
+# - Netlfy Dev https://www.netlify.com/products/dev
+# - Netlify's CLI https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
+# - \`netlify link\` https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
+[dev]
+  framework = "redwoodjs"
+  # Make sure \`targetPort\` matches \`web.port\` in the \`redwood.toml\`:
+  targetPort = 8910
+  # Point your browser to this port to access your app:
+  port = 8888
 "
 `;
 
@@ -31,21 +36,26 @@ exports[`netlify should call the handler without error 1`] = `
   publish = "web/dist"
   functions = "api/dist/functions"
 
-[dev]
-  # To use [Netlify Dev](https://www.netlify.com/products/dev/),
-  # install netlify-cli from https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
-  # and then use netlify link https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
-  # to connect your local project to a site already on Netlify
-  # then run netlify dev and our app will be accessible on the port specified below
-  framework = "redwoodjs"
-  # Set targetPort to the [web] side port as defined in redwood.toml
-  targetPort = 8910
-  # Point your browser to this port to access your RedwoodJS app
-  port = 8888
+  [build.environment]
+    NODE_VERSION = "20"
 
 [[redirects]]
   from = "/*"
   to = "/200.html"
   status = 200
+
+# To use Netlify Dev, install Netlify's CLI (\`netlify-cli\`) from NPM and use \`netlify link\`
+# to connect your local project to a site on Netlify. Then run \`netlify dev\`.
+#
+# Quick links to the docs:
+# - Netlfy Dev https://www.netlify.com/products/dev
+# - Netlify's CLI https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
+# - \`netlify link\` https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
+[dev]
+  framework = "redwoodjs"
+  # Make sure \`targetPort\` matches \`web.port\` in the \`redwood.toml\`:
+  targetPort = 8910
+  # Point your browser to this port to access your app:
+  port = 8888
 "
 `;
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/netlify.js b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/netlify.js
index 21d4a52ee861..52f1f297fc2c 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/netlify.js
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/netlify.js
@@ -2,25 +2,31 @@ import { getConfig } from '../../../../lib'
 
 const config = getConfig()
 
-export const NETLIFY_TOML = `[build]
+export const NETLIFY_TOML = `\
+[build]
   command = "yarn rw deploy netlify"
   publish = "web/dist"
   functions = "api/dist/functions"
 
-[dev]
-  # To use [Netlify Dev](https://www.netlify.com/products/dev/),
-  # install netlify-cli from https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
-  # and then use netlify link https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
-  # to connect your local project to a site already on Netlify
-  # then run netlify dev and our app will be accessible on the port specified below
-  framework = "redwoodjs"
-  # Set targetPort to the [web] side port as defined in redwood.toml
-  targetPort = ${config.web.port}
-  # Point your browser to this port to access your RedwoodJS app
-  port = 8888
+  [build.environment]
+    NODE_VERSION = "20"
 
 [[redirects]]
   from = "/*"
   to = "/200.html"
   status = 200
+
+# To use Netlify Dev, install Netlify's CLI (\`netlify-cli\`) from NPM and use \`netlify link\`
+# to connect your local project to a site on Netlify. Then run \`netlify dev\`.
+#
+# Quick links to the docs:
+# - Netlfy Dev https://www.netlify.com/products/dev
+# - Netlify's CLI https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#installation
+# - \`netlify link\` https://docs.netlify.com/cli/get-started/#link-and-unlink-sites
+[dev]
+  framework = "redwoodjs"
+  # Make sure \`targetPort\` matches \`web.port\` in the \`redwood.toml\`:
+  targetPort = ${config.web.port}
+  # Point your browser to this port to access your app:
+  port = 8888
 `
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/render.js b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/render.js
index 9c5373e225a8..9c04c8f857bb 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/render.js
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/setup/deploy/templates/render.js
@@ -5,31 +5,29 @@ import { getPaths } from '../../../../lib'
 export const PROJECT_NAME = path.basename(getPaths().base)
 
 export const RENDER_YAML = (database) => {
-  return `#####
-# Documentation
-# Redwood: https://render.com/docs/deploy-redwood
-# YAML (all config values): https://render.com/docs/yaml-spec
-#####
+  return `# Quick links to the docs:
+# - Redwood on Render: https://render.com/docs/deploy-redwood
+# - Render's Blueprint spec: https://render.com/docs/yaml-spec
 
 services:
 - name: ${PROJECT_NAME}-web
   type: web
   env: static
-  buildCommand: yarn install && yarn rw deploy render web
+  buildCommand: corepack enable && yarn install && yarn rw deploy render web
   staticPublishPath: ./web/dist
+
   envVars:
-  - key: NODE_VERSION
-    value: 18
   - key: SKIP_INSTALL_DEPS
     value: true
+
   routes:
   - type: rewrite
     source: /.redwood/functions/*
-#####
-# NOTE: replace destination api url after first deploy to Render
-# example:
-#   destination: https://myredwoodproject-api.onrender.com/*
-#####
+    # Replace \`destination\` here after your first deploy:
+    #
+    # \`\`\`
+    # destination: https://my-redwood-project-api.onrender.com/*
+    # \`\`\`
     destination: replace_with_api_url/*
   - type: rewrite
     source: /*
@@ -40,35 +38,37 @@ services:
   plan: free
   env: node
   region: oregon
-  buildCommand: yarn && yarn rw build api
+  buildCommand: corepack enable && yarn && yarn rw build api
   startCommand: yarn rw deploy render api
+
   envVars:
-  - key: NODE_VERSION
-    value: 18
 ${database}
 `
 }
 
-export const POSTGRES_YAML = `  - key: DATABASE_URL
+export const POSTGRES_YAML = `\
+  - key: DATABASE_URL
     fromDatabase:
       name: ${PROJECT_NAME}-db
       property: connectionString
 
 databases:
   - name: ${PROJECT_NAME}-db
-    region: oregon
-`
+    region: oregon`
 
-export const SQLITE_YAML = `  - key: DATABASE_URL
+export const SQLITE_YAML = `\
+  - key: DATABASE_URL
     value: file:./data/sqlite.db
   disk:
     name: sqlite-data
     mountPath: /opt/render/project/src/api/db/data
     sizeGB: 1`
 
-export const RENDER_HEALTH_CHECK = `// render-health-check
+export const RENDER_HEALTH_CHECK = `\
+// render-health-check
 export const handler = async () => {
   return {
     statusCode: 200,
   }
-}`
+}
+`
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/exit.js b/packages/cli/src/lib/exit.js
index 57c6b079c0a1..1c78cdabf8d9 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/exit.js
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/exit.js
@@ -39,19 +39,21 @@ export function exitWithError(
   const line = chalk.red('-'.repeat(process.stderr.columns))
 
   // Generate and print a nice message to the user
-  const content = [
-    line,
-    message,
-    includeEpilogue && `\n${line}`,
-    includeEpilogue && epilogue,
-    includeReferenceCode &&
-      ` - Here's your unique error reference to quote: '${errorReferenceCode}'`,
-    line,
-  ]
-    .filter(Boolean)
-    .join('\n')
-
-  console.error()
+  const content = !includeEpilogue
+    ? message
+    : [
+        '',
+        line,
+        message,
+        `\n${line}`,
+        epilogue,
+        includeReferenceCode &&
+          ` - Here's your unique error reference to quote: '${errorReferenceCode}'`,
+        line,
+      ]
+        .filter(Boolean)
+        .join('\n')
+
   console.error(content)
 
   // Record the error in telemetry
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkForBabelConfig.js b/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkForBabelConfig.js
deleted file mode 100644
index dbe922e5fe1a..000000000000
--- a/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkForBabelConfig.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-import boxen from 'boxen'
-import fg from 'fast-glob'
-
-import { getPaths } from '../lib'
-import c from '../lib/colors'
-
-const isUsingBabelRc = () => {
-  return (
-    fg.sync('{web,api}/.babelrc(.*)?', {
-      cwd: getPaths().base,
-      ignore: '**/node_modules',
-    }).length > 0
-  )
-}
-const BABEL_SETTINGS_LINK =
-  'https://redwoodjs.com/docs/project-configuration-dev-test-build'
-
-const checkForBabelConfig = () => {
-  if (isUsingBabelRc()) {
-    const messages = [
-      "Looks like you're trying to configure one of your sides with a .babelrc file.",
-      'These settings will be ignored, unless you use a babel.config.js file',
-      '',
-      'Your plugins and settings will be automatically merged with',
-      `the Redwood built-in config, more details here: ${c.warning(
-        BABEL_SETTINGS_LINK
-      )}`,
-    ]
-
-    console.log(
-      boxen(messages.join('\n'), {
-        title: 'Incorrect project configuration',
-        padding: { top: 0, bottom: 0, right: 1, left: 1 },
-        margin: 1,
-        borderColor: 'red',
-      })
-    )
-  }
-}
-
-export default checkForBabelConfig
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkNodeVersion.js b/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkNodeVersion.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f884c4401950
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/middleware/checkNodeVersion.js
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import semver from 'semver'
+
+import c from '../lib/colors'
+
+export function checkNodeVersion() {
+  const checks = { ok: true }
+
+  const pVersion = process.version
+  const pVersionC = semver.clean(pVersion)
+  const LOWER_BOUND = 'v20.0.0'
+  const LOWER_BOUND_C = semver.clean(LOWER_BOUND)
+
+  if (semver.gt(pVersionC, LOWER_BOUND_C)) {
+    return checks
+  }
+
+  checks.ok = false
+  checks.message = [
+    `Your Node.js version is ${c.warning(
+      pVersion
+    )}, but Redwood requires ${c.green(`>=${LOWER_BOUND}`)}.`,
+    'Upgrade your Node.js version using `nvm` or a similar tool. See https://redwoodjs.com/docs/how-to/using-nvm.',
+  ].join('\n')
+
+  return checks
+}
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/.nvmrc b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/.nvmrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 9a2a0e219c9b..000000000000
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/.nvmrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-v20
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/README.md b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/README.md
index 08f58865b056..60a38fe2c6ac 100644
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/README.md
+++ b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Welcome to [RedwoodJS](https://redwoodjs.com)!
 
 > **Prerequisites**
 >
-> - Redwood requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/) (=18.x) and [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/) (>=1.15)
+> - Redwood requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/) (=20.x) and [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/)
 > - Are you on Windows? For best results, follow our [Windows development setup](https://redwoodjs.com/docs/how-to/windows-development-setup) guide
 
 Start by installing dependencies:
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/package.json b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/package.json
index 25e637ddcff7..1ab4a33bedab 100644
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/package.json
+++ b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/js/package.json
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
     "root": true
   },
   "engines": {
-    "node": "=20.x",
-    "yarn": ">=1.22.21"
+    "node": "=20.x"
   },
   "prisma": {
     "seed": "yarn rw exec seed"
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/.nvmrc b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/.nvmrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 9a2a0e219c9b..000000000000
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/.nvmrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-v20
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/README.md b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/README.md
index 08f58865b056..60a38fe2c6ac 100644
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/README.md
+++ b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Welcome to [RedwoodJS](https://redwoodjs.com)!
 
 > **Prerequisites**
 >
-> - Redwood requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/) (=18.x) and [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/) (>=1.15)
+> - Redwood requires [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/) (=20.x) and [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/)
 > - Are you on Windows? For best results, follow our [Windows development setup](https://redwoodjs.com/docs/how-to/windows-development-setup) guide
 
 Start by installing dependencies:
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/package.json b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/package.json
index 25e637ddcff7..1ab4a33bedab 100644
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/package.json
+++ b/packages/create-redwood-app/templates/ts/package.json
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
     "root": true
   },
   "engines": {
-    "node": "=20.x",
-    "yarn": ">=1.22.21"
+    "node": "=20.x"
   },
   "prisma": {
     "seed": "yarn rw exec seed"
diff --git a/packages/create-redwood-app/tests/template.test.js b/packages/create-redwood-app/tests/template.test.js
index 6e7ade0722d5..be6cd2cc29c6 100644
--- a/packages/create-redwood-app/tests/template.test.js
+++ b/packages/create-redwood-app/tests/template.test.js
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ describe('template', () => {
         "/.env",
         "/.env.defaults",
         "/.env.example",
-        "/.nvmrc",
         "/.vscode",
         "/.vscode/extensions.json",
         "/.vscode/launch.json",
@@ -96,7 +95,6 @@ describe('JS template', () => {
         "/.env",
         "/.env.defaults",
         "/.env.example",
-        "/.nvmrc",
         "/.vscode",
         "/.vscode/extensions.json",
         "/.vscode/launch.json",