> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hostinger.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hostinger.com/node.js/overview-1/express.md).

# Express.js

Run Express.js apps in server mode on Hostinger Node.js hosting, with package.json setup, hPanel settings for JavaScript and TypeScript, and PORT binding.

Minimal, unopinionated Node.js HTTP framework. Hostinger runs Express apps in server mode — a long-lived Node process handles every request.

**`app_type`:** `express`

## Server mode

Express is server-only; there's no static mode.

### `package.json`

```json
{
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node server.js",
    "dev": "node --watch server.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "express": "^4.21.0"
  }
}
```

For TypeScript:

```json
{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "tsc",
    "start": "node dist/server.js"
  }
}
```

### Minimal `server.js`

```js
import express from 'express';

const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT ?? 3000;

app.get('/', (_req, res) => res.send('Hello from Express'));

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Listening on ${port}`);
});
```

### hPanel settings

**Plain JavaScript:**

| Field            | Value           |
| ---------------- | --------------- |
| Application type | `express`       |
| Build script     | — (leave blank) |
| Output directory | — (leave blank) |
| Entry file       | `server.js`     |

**TypeScript:**

| Field            | Value            |
| ---------------- | ---------------- |
| Application type | `express`        |
| Build script     | `build`          |
| Output directory | `dist`           |
| Entry file       | `dist/server.js` |

## Static mode

Not applicable. If you want to serve static assets alongside Express, use `express.static('public')` inside your server.

## Notes

* **Bind to `process.env.PORT`, not a hardcoded port.** Hostinger assigns a port at runtime; hardcoding causes conflicts.
* For production, enable gzip and security headers:

  ```js
  import compression from 'compression';
  import helmet from 'helmet';
  app.use(compression());
  app.use(helmet());
  ```
* Process auto-restart: if your app crashes, Hostinger restarts it.

***

*Last updated: July 21, 2026*