Node.js Express Server Skill

Node.js Express Server

Overview
When to Use
Quick Start
Reference Guides
Best Practices

Overview

Create robust Express.js applications with proper routing, middleware chains, authentication mechanisms, and database integration following industry best practices.

When to Use

Building REST APIs with Node.js
Implementing server-side request handling
Creating middleware chains for cross-cutting concerns
Managing authentication and authorization
Connecting to databases from Node.js
Implementing error handling and logging

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

const express = require("express");
const app = express();
const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;

// Middleware
app.use(express.json());
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }));

// Routes
app.get("/health", (req, res) => {
  res.json({ status: "OK", timestamp: new Date().toISOString() });
});

// Error handling
app.use((err, req, res, next) => {
  console.error(err.stack);
  res.status(err.status || 500).json({
    error: err.message,
    requestId: req.id,
  });
});

app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

| Guide | Contents | |---|---| | Basic Express Setup | Basic Express Setup | | Middleware Chain Implementation | Middleware Chain Implementation | | Database Integration (PostgreSQL with Sequelize) | Database Integration (PostgreSQL with Sequelize) | | Authentication with JWT | Authentication with JWT | | RESTful Routes with CRUD Operations | RESTful Routes with CRUD Operations | | Error Handling Middleware | Error Handling Middleware | | Environment Configuration | Environment Configuration |

Best Practices

✅ DO

Use middleware for cross-cutting concerns
Implement proper error handling
Validate input data before processing
Use async/await for async operations
Implement authentication on protected routes
Use environment variables for configuration
Add logging and monitoring
Use HTTPS in production
Implement rate limiting
Keep route handlers focused and small

❌ DON'T

Handle errors silently
Store sensitive data in code
Use synchronous operations in routes
Forget to validate user input
Implement authentication in route handlers
Use callback hell (use promises/async-await)
Expose stack traces in production
Trust client-side validation only

Agent Skills: Node.js Express Server

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