CLI Overview

The servercn CLI is a powerful command-line interface designed to streamline development by generating boilerplate code, enforcing project structure, and automating repetitive tasks.

It helps you move faster while keeping your codebase consistent and scalable.

Why Use the CLI?

Instead of manually creating files and wiring everything together, the CLI allows you to:

Generate controllers, services, and routes instantly
Maintain a consistent architecture across your project
Reduce boilerplate and human error
Scale your application with predictable patterns

Installation

Existing Project

Initialize Servercn in an Existing Project

npx servercn-cli init

After running the command, you will be prompted to choose a project foundation:

  Select a project foundation:  » - Use arrow-keys. Return to submit.
  Express Starter - Minimal Express server setup
  Express + Mongoose
  Express + MySQL (Drizzle)
  Express + PostgreSQL (Drizzle)
  Nextjs Starter
> Existing Project

Choose the Existing Project and press Enter to continue.

Again, you will be prompted to configure your stack:

√ Project root directory ... .
√ Programming language » Typescript (recommended)
√ Backend framework » Express.js
√ Select architecture » MVC (controllers, services, models)
√ Select database » Mongodb
√ Mongodb library » mongoose
√ Select package manager » npm
 
Servercn initialized successfully.
 
You may now add components by running:
1. npx servercn-cli@latest add <component>
ex: npx servercn-cli@latest add jwt-utils error-handler http-status-codes

This generates a servercn.config.json file in your project root:

servercn.config.json

{
  "$schema": "https://servercn.vercel.app/schema/servercn.config.json",
  "version": "1.1.11",
  "rootDir": ".",
  "packageManager": "npm",
  "runtime": "node",
  "language": "typescript",
  "framework": "express",
  "architecture": "mvc",
  "database": {
    "engine": "mongodb",
    "adapter": "mongoose"
  }
}

New Project

Initialize a New Project from a Starter

Available starters:

npx servercn-cli init nextjs-starter --fw=nextjs

npx servercn-cli init express-starter

npx servercn-cli init mongoose-starter

npx servercn-cli init drizzle-mysql-starter

npx servercn-cli init drizzle-pg-starter

CLI Help

npx servercn-cli --help