This is a sample Node.js backend app scaffold, written from ground up.

I always wanted to have such an ideal greenfield project with a minimal rationale.

A project where every bit is well-thought.

Strong fundamentals, but allows for exploration and extension.

Rationale behind each file and folder

Package-specific

• package.json — the standard indispensable file containing metadata and information about a project/package.
• package-lock.json — dependencies of a project often gets deprecated, updated with breaking changes, or its features removed; thus making this file non-negotiable for production deployments, as it contains accurate version information.
• index.ts — the standard entry point of a Node.js package, with TypeScript.

Configurations

• .gitignore — the most complete gitignore for Node.js projects.
• tsconfig.json — the most minimal TypeScript config.
• .prettierrc.json — the most minimal Prettier config.

Folders

• node_modules — the approach of Node.js to install dependencies per project in a folder.
• .dist — the output folder for TypeScript, to deploy and run using Node.js.

Project-specific folders

• db — the ORM models.
• modules — the domain code for the project, each as a module.

Rationale behind each dependency

Production/runtime dependencies

• express — the unopinionated backend framework.

Development dependencies

• typescript — move fast, at scale, with end-to-end type-safety.
• jest — a testing framework, used for TDD.
• prettier — a code formatter, to enforce a single coding style.
• tsc-alias — to replace alias paths with relative paths.

Guide

How to add a new module?

Step 1

The main src/index.ts starts the backend. Using the main module in src/router.ts, which is the SPOT (single point of truth) for all modules of the project. So, first, we append a new module.

import {Router} from 'express'
import user from '@/user/router.js'
+import profile from '@/profile/router.js'

const router = Router()
router.use('/users', user)
+router.use('/profiles', profile)

export default router

Step 2

Add a new folder named after the module profile. Then, add 4 new files in the folder.

• src/profile/ router.ts containing the Express routes with anonymous controller functions.
• src/profile/ service.ts containing the domain logic in the plainest language.
• src/profile/ dto.ts containing request body validation code.
• src/profile/ model.ts containing the database access object.
• src/profile/ repo.ts containing a class with methods that allow loose coupling of the database and domain.