The latest articles on DEV Community by Chetan (@chatan). https://dev.to/chatan https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F1342700%2Fc1a1db89-aa31-4b09-843d-eb3e313316a8.jpg https://dev.to/chatan en Chetan Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:12 +0000 https://dev.to/chatan/i-built-a-cli-to-automate-expressjs-setup-in-30-seconds-23ib https://dev.to/chatan/i-built-a-cli-to-automate-expressjs-setup-in-30-seconds-23ib <h1> I Built a CLI to Automate Express.js Setup in 30 Seconds </h1> <h2> The Problem </h2> <p>Setting up a new Express.js project is repetitive:</p> <ul> <li>Create folder structure (controllers, routes, models, middleware)</li> <li>Configure <code>server.js</code>, <code>.env</code>, <code>.gitignore</code> </li> <li>Set up package.json</li> <li>Choose ESM vs CommonJS, JavaScript vs TypeScript</li> <li>Install dependencies</li> </ul> <p>30+ minutes wasted on boilerplate every single time.</p> <h2> The Solution </h2> <p>I built <strong>express-jetstart</strong> - a CLI that automates this entire process.<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight shell"><code>npx express-jetstart </code></pre> </div> <p>Answer a few prompts, get a production-ready Express app in 30 seconds.</p> <h2> Features </h2> <ul> <li> <strong>Instant scaffolding</strong> - Complete project structure generated</li> <li> <strong>Language choice</strong> - JavaScript or TypeScript</li> <li> <strong>Module system</strong> - ESM or CommonJS</li> <li> <strong>Clean architecture</strong> - Controllers, routes, models, middleware pre-organized</li> <li> <strong>Production-ready</strong> - .env, .gitignore, best practices included</li> </ul> <h2> How It Works </h2> <p>Run the command:<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight shell"><code>npx express-jetstart </code></pre> </div> <p>Choose your preferences:</p> <ul> <li>Project name</li> <li>Language (JS/TS)</li> <li>Module system (ESM/CommonJS)</li> <li>Framework options</li> </ul> <p>Get this structure instantly:<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight plaintext"><code>your-project/ ├── src/ │ ├── controllers/ │ ├── routes/ │ ├── models/ │ └── middleware/ ├── public/ ├── .env ├── .gitignore ├── server.js └── package.json </code></pre> </div> <p>Just <code>npm install</code> and start coding.</p> <h2> Tech Stack </h2> <ul> <li> <strong>TypeScript</strong> - Type safety and maintainability</li> <li> <strong>Node.js</strong> - Runtime</li> <li> <strong>Inquirer</strong> - Interactive CLI prompts</li> <li> <strong>npm</strong> - Published and available globally</li> </ul> <h2> Why This Matters </h2> <p>Developers should build features, not copy boilerplate. This tool eliminates setup friction.</p> <p><strong>Real impact:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Published on npm</li> <li>Saves 30+ minutes per project</li> <li>Reduces configuration errors</li> <li>Promotes Express best practices</li> </ul> <h2> Try It </h2> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight shell"><code>npx express-jetstart </code></pre> </div> <p><strong>Links:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.npmjs.com/package/express-jetstart" rel="noopener noreferrer">npm package</a></li> <li><a href="https://github.com/AvusalaChetan/express-jetstart-CLI" rel="noopener noreferrer">GitHub</a></li> </ul> <p>Feedback and contributions welcome.</p> <p><em>Built with TypeScript and shipped to help developers code faster.</em></p> node typescript cli productivity