express

TLDR

Create Express app with generator

$ npx express-generator [myapp]

Create with view engine

$ npx express-generator --view=[pug] [myapp]

Create with CSS preprocessor

$ npx express-generator --css=[sass] [myapp]

Create without view engine

$ npx express-generator --no-view [myapp]

Create with git ignore

$ npx express-generator --git [myapp]

SYNOPSIS

express-generator [options] [dir]

express-generator scaffolds Express.js web applications. It creates the basic directory structure, package.json, and boilerplate code for starting an Express server.
Express is a minimal Node.js web framework. The generator provides a conventional starting point with routes, views (optional), static files, and error handling.

PARAMETERS

--view engine

View engine: pug, ejs, hbs, hjs, twig.

--css engine

CSS preprocessor: sass, less, stylus, compass.

-e, --ejs

Use EJS template engine.

--pug

Use Pug template engine.

--hbs

Use Handlebars template engine.

--no-view

Generate without view engine.

-c engine

CSS engine (same as --css).

--git

Add .gitignore.

-f, --force

Force on non-empty directory.

GENERATED STRUCTURE

$ myapp/
├── app.js          # Main application
├── package.json    # Dependencies
├── bin/www         # Server entry point
├── public/         # Static files
├── routes/         # Route handlers
└── views/          # Templates

CAVEATS

Generator provides minimal setup. Production needs additional configuration (security, logging, etc.). Express 5 is in development; generator may lag. Consider alternatives like Fastify or Nest.js for larger projects.

HISTORY

Express was created by TJ Holowaychuk in 2010 and became the most popular Node.js web framework. The express-generator was separated from the main package to allow the core framework to remain minimal.