Building Scalable APIs with Node.js and TypeScript

Introduction

Building scalable APIs requires careful architecture decisions from the start. In this guide, we'll explore how to build a production-ready API using Node.js, TypeScript, and Prisma ORM.

Project Setup

Start with a clean TypeScript project and configure strict mode for maximum type safety. Use Prisma for database access and Zod for runtime validation.

Authentication

Implement JWT-based authentication with refresh tokens. Store tokens in httpOnly cookies for security.

Error Handling

Create a centralized error handler that returns consistent JSON responses. Use custom error classes for different error types.

Conclusion

With these patterns in place, your API will be maintainable, scalable, and production-ready from day one.

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