Express.js & REST APIs

Node.js Express Static Files

express.static serves files from a directory directly — images, CSS, a built front end. It handles content types, caching headers and range requests for you.

What is Express Static Files in Node.js?

express.static serves files from a directory directly — images, CSS, a built front end. It handles content types, caching headers and range requests for you.

Express Static Files example

Serving assets and an SPA

JavaScript

app.use(express.static('public', { maxAge: '1d' }));

// serve a built React/Angular app and support client-side routing
app.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'dist')));
app.get('*', (req, res) => {
  res.sendFile(path.join(__dirname, 'dist', 'index.html'));
});

Key points to remember

Register static middleware before the catch-all route.
Set a long maxAge for hashed asset filenames.
In production, a CDN or Nginx serves static files faster than Node.

Common mistakes with Express Static Files

Exposing a directory containing uploads or configuration files.
The SPA catch-all placed before the API routes, so it swallows every request.

Node.js Express Static Files— Interview Questions & FAQs

How do I serve a React build from Express?+

Serve the build directory with express.static, then add a catch-all route that returns index.html so client-side routes resolve. Register both after your API routes.