⚡ Quick Start

# 1. Clone the project (or use the "Use this template" button)
git clone https://github.com/rocambille/start-express-react.git my-project
cd my-project

# 2. Install dependencies and initialize the database
npm install
cp .env.sample .env
npm run database:sync

# 3. Start the application
npm run dev

The application is available at http://localhost:5173

🤔 Why StartER?

We designed StartER around a simple philosophy: zero hidden magic. It is a framework built for learning, rapid prototyping, and hacking. Heavy solutions tend to hide their complexity. StartER offers a readable and modifiable fullstack architecture (Express + React). You understand every line of code and keep control over your application.

✨ Key Features

• 100% readable codebase: a clear architecture with no black boxes. Use it to learn and master fullstack development.
• "Magic Link" authentication: a secure, passwordless login system included out of the box.
• Minimalist architecture: the simplicity of Express balanced with the modularity of React.
• Ready to use: TypeScript, SQLite, and Docker for a smooth Developer Experience.

🧬 Don't generate, clone! (make:clone)

StartER introduces the make:clone command. Unlike a CRUD generator, you clone your own logic.

Need a new resource? Clone an existing module, like item. The command duplicates the files and renames variables and references. You get complete, immediately functional, and customizable code.

🧪 Contract-Based API Testing

StartER simplifies code reliability with an innovative contract-based approach.

Define your API structure once. We use the contracts to generate API tests, while mocking API calls on the React side. Less boilerplate, more reliability.

💻 Tech Stack

• Backend: Node.js, Express 5, Zod
• Frontend: React 19, React Router, Vite, Pico CSS
• Database: SQLite
• Tooling: TypeScript, Biome, Vitest, Docker

📖 Documentation

All documentation, deployment guides, and technical concepts are on the wiki.

👉 Read the official Wiki

📄 License

Distributed under the MIT license. You are free to use, modify, and redistribute it for educational or professional purposes.