Getting Started
This guide helps you begin using Cortado.js by outlining the essential steps to get your backend up and running. You will learn how to prepare your environment, initialize your project, and define your first route to handle HTTP requests. Cortado offers a simple and scalable way to build APIs and real-time services with routing and middleware support. By following this guide, you'll establish a solid foundation for further development and discover how to handle basic request-response cycles.
Beginner
10 min
Step 1: Setup Environment
Start by ensuring your development environment is ready. This involves:
Installing the necessary runtime environment (such as Node.js)
Creating a new project folder to organize your files
Initializing the project with a package manager to manage dependencies
Installing Cortado as a project dependency
Preparing configuration files to manage environment variables securely
Setting up scripts to start and stop your application server
These steps ensure your workspace is clean, organized, and ready for backend development.
Step 2: Create Your First Route
After setup, focus on defining your first API route:
Choose the HTTP method (GET, POST, etc.) relevant to your endpoint
Define the URL path pattern to trigger the route
Specify what happens when the route receives a request, such as returning data or performing an action
Test your route using tools or browsers to ensure it responds correctly
Adjust and refine route behavior based on feedback or errors
Creating routes is fundamental to handling client requests and delivering responses in your application.
Step 3: Middleware Setup
Middleware acts as a processing layer between receiving requests and sending responses.
Finalizing and Testing the Setup
After you've added routes and middleware, it’s time to run and validate your Cortado backend. Start your server using your project’s script or command. Once it's running, test endpoints in the browser, Postman, or via curl to confirm they're returning responses as expected. If everything works, you now have a functional API. From here, you can expand your backend by adding more routes, connecting to a database, or integrating external services. This step is about confirming your environment is stable, your routes respond properly, and you're ready to move into more advanced development with confidence.
Last updated on
Jul 23, 2025