Endpoints

In the REST API Template, endpoint organization depends on the architecture you chose:

• MVC: Routes are defined inside src/routes, mapped to controllers in src/controllers.
• Modular: Routes and controllers are grouped by feature in src/modules/<feature>.

This structure makes it easy to expand your API without cluttering your main app file.

Folder Overview

MVC Structure

src/
├── routes/
│   ├── user.route.js
│   └── health.route.js
└── controllers/
    └── user.controller.js

Modular Structure

src/
└── modules/
    └── user/
        ├── user.route.js
        └── user.controller.js

• Routes define the HTTP endpoints (GET /users, POST /users, etc.)
• Controllers hold the logic that runs when those endpoints are called

Example Route File

MVC (src/routes/posts.route.js)

import express from "express"
import { createPost, getPosts } from "../controllers/posts.controller.js"
 
const router = express.Router()
 
router.get("/", getPosts)
router.post("/", createPost)
 
export default router

Modular (src/modules/posts/posts.route.js)

import express from "express"
import { createPost, getPosts } from "./posts.controller.js"
 
const router = express.Router()
 
router.get("/", getPosts)
router.post("/", createPost)
 
export default router

Example Controller File

Depending on your architecture, this would be in src/controllers/posts.controller.js (MVC) or src/modules/posts/posts.controller.js (Modular).

import { ApiResponse } from "../../utils/ApiResponse.js" // Adjust path as needed
 
export const getPosts = (req, res) => {
  const posts = [
    { id: 1, title: "Hello World" },
    { id: 2, title: "NeatNode Rocks" }
  ]
  return ApiResponse.success(res, posts)
}
 
export const createPost = (req, res) => {
  const { title } = req.body
  return ApiResponse.success(res, { id: Date.now(), title })
}

Route Registration

All route files are registered inside src/app.js under the comment markers:

// ROUTE_IMPORTS_START
// MVC example:
import userRouter from "./routes/user.route.js"
// Modular example:
// import userRouter from "./modules/user/user.route.js"
// ROUTE_IMPORTS_END
 
// ROUTE_USES_START
app.use("/api/users", userRouter)
// ROUTE_USES_END

When the CLI removes CRUD examples, these sections are automatically stripped clean - keeping your app.js organized.

To add your own routes, simply add new imports between those markers or below them.

Creating a New Resource

Example: Add a products resource.

1. Create your controller: src/controllers/products.controller.js

2. Add routes: src/routes/products.route.js

3. Import and register them in src/app.js:

   import productRouter from "./routes/products.route.js"
   app.use("/api/products", productRouter)

That’s it - your new API endpoints are ready.

CRUD Pattern

Each resource typically follows this pattern:

Notes

• Controllers should handle business logic and return formatted responses using ApiResponse.
• Avoid direct DB logic inside route files - always delegate to controllers or services.
• Group routes by resource for maintainability.

Summary

This modular pattern keeps every endpoint predictable, testable, and easy to extend as your API grows.