Build with an Express starter template

Express is a fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js, and it deploys to Vercel with zero configuration. On Vercel, your Express app runs as a single Vercel Function on Fluid compute, with response streaming and preview deployments available with minimal configuration.

Vercel maintains an Express template directory with starters from both Vercel and the community, so you can begin from a working project instead of a blank repo.

Copy link to headingWhich Express template should you use?

These templates range from a minimal API to AI, Bun, and full-stack apps:

If you're not sure where to begin, deploy the Express.js on Vercel starter and add routes, middleware, or a frontend as your project grows.

Copy link to headingDeploy an Express template

Every Express template deploys to Vercel the same way. Open the template you want, select Deploy, and Vercel clones the repository into your Git provider, creates a project, and ships it to a live URL.

1. Open the template: Choose a template from the table above, then select Deploy.
2. Connect your Git provider: Vercel creates a new repository for the template in your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account.
3. Deploy the project: Vercel builds and deploys the template, then returns a production URL. Each later push to the repository triggers a new deployment.

Copy link to headingRun the template locally

After deploying, clone your new repository, install dependencies, and start the development server with Vercel CLI:

git clone your_repository_url_here
cd your_project_name_here
npm install
vercel dev

Vercel CLI serves your app at http://localhost:3000 and runs it the same way it does in production. Edit your route handlers to make it your own.

Copy link to headingStart from the command line instead

To scaffold the Express example with Vercel CLI, run:

vercel init express

This clones the Express boilerplate into an express directory, so you can develop locally first and deploy with vercel when you're ready.

Copy link to headingResources and next steps

• Follow the end-to-end How to ship an Express app on Vercel guide to deploy and configure your app
• Read the full Express on Vercel documentation
• Learn how Vercel Functions run your server code
• Understand pricing and scaling with Fluid compute
• Run code before requests with Routing Middleware
• Serve static assets from the CDN