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    expressjs

    expressjs/express

    #29 this week

    Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for node.

    backend
    express
    javascript
    nodejs
    server
    JavaScript
    MIT
    69.3K stars
    24.4K forks
    69.3K GitHub watchers
    Updated 7/27/2026
    View on GitHub

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    Use Cases & Benefits

    • Express is a fast, minimalist, and unopinionated web framework for Node.js, ideal for building web applications and APIs.
    • Key features include robust routing, high performance, HTTP helpers, support for 14+ template engines, and a quick app generator.
    • Strengths are its simplicity, flexibility, large community, and extensive test coverage; limitations include lack of built-in ORM or opinionated structure.
    • Organizations can use Express in production to rapidly develop scalable web servers and APIs with customizable middleware and templating options.
    • Ideal use cases include single-page applications, RESTful APIs, hybrid web apps, and projects requiring lightweight, flexible server-side frameworks.

    About express

    Express Logo

    Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js.

    This project has a Code of Conduct.

    Table of contents

    NPM Version NPM Downloads Linux Build Test Coverage OpenSSF Scorecard Badge

    import express from 'express'

const app = express()

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World')
})

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server is running on http://localhost:3000')
})

    Installation

    This is a Node.js module available through the npm registry.

    Before installing, download and install Node.js. Node.js 18 or higher is required.

    If this is a brand new project, make sure to create a package.json first with the npm init command.

    Installation is done using the npm install command:

    npm install express

    Follow our installing guide for more information.

    Features

    • Robust routing
    • Focus on high performance
    • Super-high test coverage
    • HTTP helpers (redirection, caching, etc)
    • View system supporting 14+ template engines
    • Content negotiation
    • Executable for generating applications quickly

    Docs & Community

    PROTIP Be sure to read the migration guide to v5

    Quick Start

    The quickest way to get started with express is to utilize the executable express(1) to generate an application as shown below:

    Install the executable. The executable's major version will match Express's:

    npm install -g express-generator@4

    Create the app:

    express /tmp/foo && cd /tmp/foo

    Install dependencies:

    npm install

    Start the server:

    npm start

    View the website at: http://localhost:3000

    Philosophy

    The Express philosophy is to provide small, robust tooling for HTTP servers, making it a great solution for single page applications, websites, hybrids, or public HTTP APIs.

    Express does not force you to use any specific ORM or template engine. With support for over 14 template engines via @ladjs/consolidate, you can quickly craft your perfect framework.

    Examples

    To view the examples, clone the Express repository:

    git clone https://github.com/expressjs/express.git --depth 1 && cd express

    Then install the dependencies:

    npm install

    Then run whichever example you want:

    node examples/content-negotiation

    Contributing

    The Express.js project welcomes all constructive contributions. Contributions take many forms, from code for bug fixes and enhancements, to additions and fixes to documentation, additional tests, triaging incoming pull requests and issues, and more!

    See the Contributing Guide for more technical details on contributing.

    Security Issues

    If you discover a security vulnerability in Express, please see Security Policies and Procedures.

    Running Tests

    To run the test suite, first install the dependencies:

    npm install

    Then run npm test:

    npm test

    Current project team members

    For information about the governance of the express.js project, see GOVERNANCE.md.

    The original author of Express is TJ Holowaychuk

    List of all contributors

    TC (Technical Committee)

    TC emeriti members

    TC emeriti members

    Triagers

    Triagers emeriti members

    Emeritus Triagers

    License

    MIT

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