Express TypeScript API

What is Express TypeScript API?

Express TypeScript API is a blank Express server setup with TypeScript support. It provides a ready-to-use project structure for building RESTful APIs with Node.js and TypeScript, including development hot-reloading and a production build pipeline.

How to use Express TypeScript API?

Clone the repository, install dependencies with npm install, then run npm run dev for development with hot‑reloading at http://localhost:3000. For production, compile TypeScript with npm run build and start the compiled JavaScript with npm start. Configure environment variables like PORT and NODE_ENV in a .env file.

Key features of Express TypeScript API

• Blank Express setup with TypeScript support
• Development server with hot‑reloading (npm run dev)
• Production build pipeline (npm run build + npm start)
• Predefined project structure (src/, dist/, config, routes)
• Two built‑in endpoints: GET / and GET /health
• Environment variable configuration via .env file

Use cases of Express TypeScript API

• Quickly bootstrap a new REST API with TypeScript and Express
• Prototype API endpoints without manual project scaffolding
• Serve as a template for Node.js microservices or backends
• Demonstrate Express API patterns in coding tutorials or workshops

FAQ from Express TypeScript API

What are the prerequisites?

Node.js v14.x or higher and npm v6.x or higher are required.

What endpoints are available out of the box?

There are two endpoints: GET / returns a welcome message, and GET /health is a health check endpoint.

How do I add a new route?

Create a new route file in src/routes, then import and use it in src/server.ts.

What environment variables are needed?

The README specifies NODE_ENV and PORT, with defaults of development and 3000 respectively.

How do I run the server in production?

First run npm run build to compile TypeScript to the dist folder, then run npm start to start the compiled JavaScript server.