"No version is set for command npm" .tool-versions file missing

I'm attempting to create my react app in VS code. After installing node.js (V 18.12.1), I ran the code to create my app and recieved the following response:

npm create-react-app example

No version is set for command npm Consider adding one of the following versions in your config file at nodejs 16.15.0 nodejs 16.17.0 nodejs 16.17.1 nodejs 16.18.0 nodejs 16.18.1

I attempted the reinstall node.js and believe the issue may be due to the absence of my .tools-version file, but I don't know how to create it.