diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2c63f161ed..c9dc209846 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ npx nitropack build
 4️⃣ Output is in the `.output` directory and ready to be deployed on almost any VPS with no dependencies. You can locally try it too:
 
 ```bash
-node .output/server/index.mjs
+node -C production .output/server/index.mjs
 ```
 
 That's it you got it! Read the [documentation](https://nitro.unjs.io) to learn more.
diff --git a/docs/content/1.guide/1.introduction/0.getting-started.md b/docs/content/1.guide/1.introduction/0.getting-started.md
index 9acaeb6fe6..dd9e91d7a3 100644
--- a/docs/content/1.guide/1.introduction/0.getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/content/1.guide/1.introduction/0.getting-started.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ npx nitropack build
 Output is in the `.output` directory and ready to be deployed on almost any VPS with no dependencies. You can locally try it too:
 
 ```bash
-node .output/server/index.mjs
+node -C production .output/server/index.mjs
 ```
 
 You can add `nitropack` using your package manager now:
diff --git a/docs/content/2.deploy/1.node.md b/docs/content/2.deploy/1.node.md
index f1a023a8bb..30488dc959 100644
--- a/docs/content/2.deploy/1.node.md
+++ b/docs/content/2.deploy/1.node.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ nitro build
 When running `nitro build` with the Node server preset, the result will be an entry point that launches a ready-to-run Node server. To try output:
 
 ```bash
-$ node .output/server/index.mjs
+$ node -C production .output/server/index.mjs
 Listening on http://localhost:3000
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/heroku.md b/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/heroku.md
index 0f9a38b082..e2e0b25a4a 100644
--- a/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/heroku.md
+++ b/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/heroku.md
@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ Nitro supports deploying on [Heroku](https://heroku.com/) with minimal configura
    ```json5
    "scripts": {
      "build": "nitro build", // or `nuxt build` if using nuxt
-     "start": "node .output/server/index.mjs"
+     "start": "node -C production .output/server/index.mjs"
    }
    ```
diff --git a/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/render.md b/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/render.md
index 1bfcac06f9..a47dd7759f 100644
--- a/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/render.md
+++ b/docs/content/2.deploy/providers/render.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Nitro supports deploying on [Render](https://render.com/) with minimal configura
 
 1. Depending on your package manager, set the build command to `yarn && yarn build`, `npm install && npm run build`, or `pnpm i --shamefully-hoist && pnpm build`.
 
-1. Update the start command to `node .output/server/index.mjs`
+1. Update the start command to `node -C production .output/server/index.mjs`
 
 1. Click 'Advanced' and add an environment variable with `NITRO_PRESET` set to `render-com`.
 
diff --git a/src/presets/node-cli.ts b/src/presets/node-cli.ts
index 0ace277903..5812cfa011 100644
--- a/src/presets/node-cli.ts
+++ b/src/presets/node-cli.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@ export const cli = defineNitroPreset({
   extends: 'node',
   entry: '#internal/nitro/entries/cli',
   commands: {
-    preview: 'Run with node ./server/index.mjs [route]'
+    preview: 'Run with node -C production ./server/index.mjs [route]'
   }
 })
diff --git a/src/presets/node-server.ts b/src/presets/node-server.ts
index d88b83e9b8..32e03240b5 100644
--- a/src/presets/node-server.ts
+++ b/src/presets/node-server.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ export const nodeServer = defineNitroPreset({
   entry: '#internal/nitro/entries/node-server',
   serveStatic: true,
   commands: {
-    preview: 'node ./server/index.mjs'
+    preview: 'node -C production ./server/index.mjs'
   }
 })