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Introduction

Welcome to the Dhidroid Node.js Template 🚀

This repository provides a production-ready Node.js REST API starter template that helps you kick-start backend development without wasting time on repetitive setup. It is designed with scalability, maintainability, and real-world usage in mind.

Whether you are building a prototype, MVP, or a full-scale backend service, this template enables you to focus on business logic instead of boilerplate code.

Why this template?​

Modern backend projects often fail due to poor structure and rushed setup. This template solves that problem by offering:

  • ⚙️ A clean and scalable Node.js project structure
  • 🔌 REST API–ready architecture
  • 🧩 Modular design for easy feature expansion
  • 🛡️ Environment-based configuration support
  • 🧪 Developer-friendly local development setup
  • 📦 Optimized for long-term maintenance and growth

Prerequisites​

Before getting started, ensure you have the following installed:

  • Node.js version 20.0 or above
  • npm (bundled with Node.js)
  • Basic understanding of JavaScript and REST APIs

💡 Recommendation: When installing Node.js, enable all dependency-related options.

Getting Started​

Follow the steps below to run the project locally.

Clone the Repository​

Clone the template from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/dhidroid/Dhidroid-nodejs-template.git

Navigate into the project directory:

cd Dhidroid-nodejs-template

Switch to the active development branch:

git checkout dev

Install Dependencies​

Install all required project dependencies:

npm install

This command installs everything needed to run and develop the application.

Environment Configuration​

Create a .env file in the root directory and configure the required environment variables:

PORT=3000
NODE_ENV=development

Additional environment variables can be added as the project grows.

Run the Development Server​

Start the application in development mode:

npm run dev

Once running, the API will be available at:

http://localhost:3000

The server supports hot-reloading for faster development.

Project Structure Overview​

The project follows a modular and scalable architecture, making it easy to manage and extend.

Key benefits of the structure:

  • Clear separation of concerns
  • Easy onboarding for new developers
  • Simplified debugging and testing
  • Scalable foundation for production use

Detailed explanations of folders and conventions are covered in upcoming documentation sections.

Best Use Cases​

This template is ideal for:

  • REST API backends
  • Startup MVPs
  • SaaS platforms
  • Internal tools and services
  • Open-source backend projects

Next Steps​

After setting up the project, you can:

  • Add new API modules and routes
  • Integrate a database
  • Implement authentication & authorization
  • Add logging, validation, and error handling
  • Prepare the application for production deployment

Contributing​

Contributions are welcome! If you have improvements or fixes, feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.

License​

This project is open-source and available under the MIT License.

Happy building with Dhidroid Node.js Template 🚀