#1 Product of the week · Launched January 17, 2023-(2).jpg1696338191590.png?width=160)
Node File Router
A file-based routing for Node.js. Works with pure Node.js, Bun, Express.js, ws, and more! 💫
1stProduct of the week
FreeOpen Source77,090 impressions#1 of its week1 comment
The library allows you to define your Node.js API using files. It has the same interface as Next.js and Nuxt.
Examples:
1. /collections/12/products/25/ -> file: api/collections/[cid]/products/[pid].ts
2. /catalog/women/denim/black/ -> file: api/catalog/[...categories].ts
3. POST:/profile/favourites/ -> file: api/profile/favourites.[post].ts
Node File Router lets you define a Node.js API with file-based routes, similar to Next.js or Nuxt.
- for
- Node.js developers who want simple, framework-agnostic routing.
- pricing
- open source
- license
- MIT
works withNode.jsBunExpress.jsWebSocketsES modulesTypeScript
Key features
4 features of Node File Router
- Technology Agnostic — Works with pure Node.js, Bun, Express.js, WebSockets and more.
- Works Everywhere — Supports CommonJS, ES modules and provides TypeScript out of the box.
- Powerful Routing — Dynamic routes with wildcard parameters using a Next.js-like interface.
- Zero Dependencies — No external packages and 100% test coverage.
Use cases
- Create REST endpoints by adding files like api/collections/[cid]/products/[pid].ts
- Handle dynamic paths such as /catalog/women/denim/black via catch-all routes
- Build APIs that run on multiple runtimes (Node, Bun, Express, WebSockets) without code changes
- Leverage TypeScript support for type-safe route handlers
Node File Router vs alternatives
-(2).jpg1696338191590.png?width=64) Node File Router |  WunderGraph |  Keel |  Daytona |  Fluent CI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | File-based routing for Node APIs | API composition platform | Backend-as-a-service | Dev environment provisioning | TypeScript CI/CD pipelines |
| Pricing | Open source | Free | Subscription | Free | Free |
| DevHunt upvotes | 123 | 38 | 46 | 339 | 158 |
| Launched | Jan 2023 | Jan 2023 | Mar 2024 | May 2024 | Jan 2024 |
- Node File Router vs WunderGraph: WunderGraph focuses on API composition and federation, while Node File Router provides simple file-based routing.
- Node File Router vs Keel: Keel offers a full backend platform with services and team tools, whereas Node File Router is only a routing library.
- Node File Router vs Daytona: Daytona sets up development environments, not routing logic.
- Node File Router vs Fluent CI: Fluent CI writes CI/CD pipelines in TypeScript, unrelated to request routing.
Node File Router FAQ
How are routes defined?+
Routes are created by adding files in an api folder; the file path maps to the URL pattern, e.g., api/collections/[cid]/products/[pid].ts → /collections/12/products/25/.
Which runtimes does it support?+
It runs on pure Node.js, Bun, Express.js, WebSockets and other environments.
Do I need to install any dependencies?+
No, the library has zero dependencies.
Is TypeScript supported?+
Yes, the library works with TypeScript out of the box.
Summarized by DevHunt from danilqa.github.io · Sep 27, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
.png?width=64)
