Scaffolding

Now that we know we need an API service, let’s create the smallest possible Node app that can play that role.

This is not meant to be a full project.

It is just enough application code to give our container something useful to run.

The Files We Need

Create a new folder for the API service and add these files:

• package.json
• server.js

That is enough for this step.

The package.json File

This file defines the app and its dependencies.

We need:

• express for the web server
• mongoose so the app can eventually talk to MongoDB

{
  "name": "shipshape-03-01-docker-compose",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "main": "server.js",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node server.js"
  },
  "author": "Joshua Solomon (Professor Solo)",
  "license": "ShipShape Learner License 1.0 (ShipShape-LEARN-1.0)",
  "type": "commonjs",
  "dependencies": {
    "express": "^5.2.1",
    "mongoose": "^9.3.3"
  }
}

The server.js File

Now create server.js:

const express = require("express");
const mongoose = require("mongoose");

const app = express();
const PORT = 3000;
const MONGO_URI = "mongodb://localhost:27017/portfolio";

mongoose
  .connect(MONGO_URI)
  .then(() => console.log("Connected to MongoDB"))
  .catch((err) => console.error("Connection error:", err));

const ProjectSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  slug: String,
  category: String,
  featured: Boolean,
});

const Project = mongoose.model("Project", ProjectSchema, "projects");

app.get("/api/projects", async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const projects = await Project.find();
    res.json(projects);
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch projects" });
  }
});

app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`API service listening on port ${PORT}`);
});

Why localhost Is Still There

Right now, the app is trying to connect to:

mongodb://localhost:27017/portfolio

That is intentional.

It is not the final answer, but it sets us up for an important lesson in the next few steps.

For now, we are just getting the application code in place.

Tiny App, Real Purpose

This app is intentionally small.

We are not trying to impress anyone with backend architecture here. We are just creating a realistic little Node service that we can package into a container.

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Extra Bits & Bytes

Express Documentation

⏭ Writing the Dockerfile

We have the app files. Next, we’ll write the Dockerfile that turns this little Node service into a runnable image.