Using Express Generator
1. Installing express-generator
Command Purpose npm install -g express-generatorGlobal install npx express-generatorOne-off without install RECOMMENDED express --helpList options
2. Creating New Projects
Example: Scaffold project
npx express-generator my-app --view=ejs --git cd my-app npm install npm start # runs DEBUG=my-app:* node ./bin/www
Flag Effect --view <engine>ejs, pug, hbs, hjs, jade, twig, vash--no-viewSkip view engine (API-only) --css <preprocessor>less, stylus, compass, sass--gitAdd .gitignore -f, --forceForce on non-empty directory
3. Specifying View Engine
Engine Syntax Style EJS HTML with <% %> tags Pug Indentation-based, terse Handlebars (hbs) Logic-less {{var}} Twig Symfony-style
4. Generating with CSS Preprocessors
Example: SASS project
npx express-generator --view=pug --css=sass my-styled-app
Preprocessor Generated middleware sass node-sass-middleware less less-middleware stylus stylus middleware
5. Adding Git Ignore Files
Example: Generated .gitignore
node_modules/ * .log .env .DS_Store
Flag Result --gitAdds standard .gitignore
6. Understanding Generated Structure
my-app/
├── bin/
│ └── www ← server bootstrap (port + listen)
├── public/ ← static assets
│ ├── images/
│ ├── javascripts/
│ └── stylesheets/
├── routes/
│ ├── index.js
│ └── users.js
├── views/
│ ├── error.ejs
│ ├── index.ejs
│ └── layout.ejs
├── app.js ← Express app definition
└── package.json
File Role bin/wwwCreates HTTP server, normalizes port, binds app.listen() app.jsApplication + middleware + route mounting routes/One express.Router() per resource
7. Installing Dependencies
Example: Install + audit
cd my-app npm install npm audit fix npm outdated
Command Purpose npm ciClean reproducible install (CI/CD) npm install --omit=devProduction install (no devDeps)
8. Starting Generated Application
Command Behavior npm startnode ./bin/wwwDEBUG=my-app:* npm startVerbose debug output npx nodemon ./bin/wwwAuto-restart on changes node --watch ./bin/wwwNative watch mode NODE 18.11+
9. Customizing Generated Templates
Customization Where Add middleware app.js (between body parsers and routes)Add routes New file in routes/, mount in app.js Change layout views/layout.ejsReplace view engine Update app.set("view engine") + reinstall
10. Using npx for One-Time Execution
Example: Quick prototype
npx express-generator --no-view --git --force ./ npm install node ./bin/www
Benefit Detail Always latest Pulls from npm cache No global pollution Nothing installed permanently Version pinning npx express-generator@4.16.1
Note: express-generator targets Express 4. For Express 5+ projects, hand-craft the structure or use a modern starter (e.g. Fastify, Hono) for native ESM + TypeScript.