Setting up a server for your API can often become a tedious chore, but with the Express Zod API library, you can revolutionize the way you handle input validation and middleware configuration. Just like preparing a perfect dish where every spice and ingredient is essential, getting your API running smoothly requires choosing the right technologies and establishing clear structures. Let’s dive into how you can get your API server running in a jiffy!

1. Why and What is it For?

Express Zod API is designed to eliminate the monotonous tasks that often come with starting a web server. It integrates various capabilities such as logging, validation, and documentation into a neat package that allows you to accomplish your goals faster. Here’s what you gain:

• Hierarchical description of web server routes
• Type declarations for endpoint inputs and outputs
• Validation against types to avoid null or undefined errors
• Automatic generation of OpenAPI documentation

2. How It Works

The Express Zod API operates on the principles of using object schemas for validating inputs and outputs of your web API. Think of it as a meticulous librarian that organizes every book (data) perfectly on the shelves (schemas) to ensure easy retrieval and consistency.

Technologies

The library uses:

• Typescript
• Express.js v4 or v5
• Zod for schema validation

3. Quick Start — Fast Track

Let’s get your API server up and running with these steps:

Installation

Run the following commands to install necessary packages:

yarn add express-zod-api express zod typescript http-errors
yarn add --dev @types/express @types/node @types/http-errors

Set Up Config

Create a minimal configuration for your server:

import createConfig from 'express-zod-api';

const config = createConfig({
  server: {
    listen: 8090,
  },
  cors: true,
  logger: {
    level: 'debug',
    color: true,
  }
});

Create an Endpoints Factory

Now, create an endpoints factory:

import defaultEndpointsFactory from 'express-zod-api';

Create Your First Endpoint

Here, you’ll create a simple endpoint that responds with “Hello, World”:

import z from 'zod';

const helloWorldEndpoint = defaultEndpointsFactory.build({
  method: 'get',
  input: z.object({
    name: z.string().optional(),
  }),
  output: z.object({
    greetings: z.string(),
  }),
  handler: async (input) => {
    return { greetings: `Hello, ${input.name || 'World'}. Happy coding!` };
  },
});

Set Up Routing

Connect your endpoint to a specific route:

import { Routing } from 'express-zod-api';

const routing: Routing = {
  v1: {
    hello: helloWorldEndpoint,
  },
};

Create Your Server

Finally, create the server:

import createServer from 'express-zod-api';

createServer(config, routing);

Try It!

Start your application and try accessing your endpoint using CURL:

curl -L -X GET localhost:8090/v1/hello?name=Rick

4. Basic Features

With Express Zod API, you can effortlessly handle middlewares, options, transformations, and more — akin to a chef with an array of cooking tools at their disposal.

5. Troubleshooting

Should you encounter any hiccups while working with the API, here are a few quick fixes:

• Error 404: Check your routing definition and ensure your endpoint has been correctly defined.
• Unexpected input values: Double-check your validation schemas and make the necessary adjustments.
• Server not starting: Ensure all dependencies are correctly installed, and your configuration is accurate.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

6. Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.