diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8d5eaa4..4eac85a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ Branch (`master/main/dev`) is optional.
 -->
 
 ## Changelog
+### **WORK IN PROGRESS**
+* (mcm1957) Require node 18 minimum as engines clause. 
+
 ### 3.1.1 (2024-10-04)
 * (mcm1957) "[E166] 'common.mode: extension' is unknown" has been fixed [#308]
 * (mcm1957) "[E904] file iob_npm.done found in repository, but not found in .gitignore" removed as covered by [E503]. [#309]
diff --git a/lib/M000_PackageJson.js b/lib/M000_PackageJson.js
index ec252cd..4ed460c 100644
--- a/lib/M000_PackageJson.js
+++ b/lib/M000_PackageJson.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const compareVersions = require('compare-versions');
 const common = require('./common.js');
 
 const recommendedNodeVersion = '18'; // This is the minimum node version that should be required
-const requiredNodeVersion = '16';    // This is the minimum node version that must be required
+const requiredNodeVersion = '18';    // This is the minimum node version that must be required
 
 /* TODO: configuration should be moved to context */