How to use express js with dotenv and ES6 modules

If you are interested in developer trends you should check out my new newsletter at: unzip.dev

I'm assuming you are using nodejs with a version later than 13.
First, you will need to change your package.json to:

{ "name": "api", "version": "1.0.0", "type": "module", ... } 

(The type is the important part).

Now you can freely use imports, here is an express start with dotenv

import dotenv from "dotenv" import express from "express" dotenv.config() const app = express() const port = process.env.PORT || 5000 app.get('/', (req, res) => { res.send('Hello World!') }) app.listen(port, () => { console.log(`Example app listening at http://localhost:${port}`) }) 

Notes:
Having dotenv gives you the ability to add environment variables into .env files and use them easily in your express (in this case) app.