Node.js Express Boilerplate: Best Practices for Project Structure

Purpose

This boilerplate repository offers a well-structured and scalable foundation for Node.js Express projects, emphasizing industry best practices in folder architecture and file organization. While it does not provide a functional implementation, it serves as a valuable starting point for building robust and maintainable applications.

Key Principles

• Modularity: Clear separation of concerns into logical folders for enhanced maintainability.
• Scalability: A structure designed to accommodate project growth and evolving complexity.
• Best Practices: Adherence to established Node.js and Express conventions for a familiar development experience.
• Documentation: Emphasis on thorough explanations within each folder to promote understanding.

Project Structure Overview

• root directory
  • docker/ - Docker configuration for containerizing the application. docker.md - Detailed instructions and documentation for using Docker with this project.
  • docs/ - Project knowledge base and development documentation. docs.md - Detailed instructions and documentation for using this project.
  • scripts/ - Custom scripts for development, deployment, and utilities. scripts.md - Detailed instructions and documentation for using scripts.
  • src/ - The core source code of the application. src.md - Detailed instructions and documentation for using the source code.
  • test/ - Unit, integration, and end-to-end tests. test.md - Detailed instructions and documentation for running tests.
  • .editorconfig: Specifies basic code editor settings (indentation style, line endings, etc.). This ensures code looks the same regardless of the editor used by individual developers.
  • .eslintignore: Indicates files and directories that should be excluded from ESLint's code quality checks.
  • .eslintrc: The core configuration file for ESLint. It defines the JavaScript linting rules and stylistic preferences enforced in the project.
  • .gitattributes: Allows customization of how Git handles certain files within your repository (e.g., specifying line endings, merge strategies).
  • .gitignore: Lists files and patterns to prevent accidental committing of development artifacts, sensitive data, or large generated files to version control.
  • .npmignore: Similar to .gitignore but specifically for npm packaging. It controls what's excluded when publishing your project as an npm module.
  • .npmrc: Contains configuration options for the npm package manager. This can be used for setting registry URLs, proxy settings, and other npm behaviors.
  • .nvmrc: Specifies a Node.js version for the project. Using Node Version Manager (nvm) helps ensure all developers use the same version, preventing compatibility issues.
  • .prettierrc: Configures the Prettier code formatter with preferred formatting rules (semicolons, spacing, quotes, etc.). This promotes code style homogeneity within the project.
  • .snyk: Likely used for Snyk dependency vulnerability scanning. This file holds configuration options related to integrating Snyk into your development workflow.
  • CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md: Guidelines for community interaction and collaboration.
  • CONTRIBUTING.md: Instructions for contributing to the project.
  • LICENSE: The license governing the use and distribution of the project.
  • README.md: Overview of the project, its structure, and key files.
  • package.json: Metadata and dependencies for the Node.js project.
  • package-lock.json: Lock file automatically generated for any operations where npm modifies either the node_modules tree or package.json.

Getting Started

1. Clone this repository.
2. Install dependencies (npm install)
3. Review and customize configuration files as needed.
4. Refer to the documentation within each folder for guidance on how to build out your application.

Community Contributions

This boilerplate aims to be a collaborative resource. Feel free to suggest improvements, refinements, or alternative approaches via pull requests or discussions.