Future plans for this package

[IgorArnaut]

Last release was in 2019. The generator still doesn't have ES6 syntax (a modern standard) and TypeScript support. Installed packages have vulnerabilities. There were pull requests that have such features implemented, but they're nor merged at all.

• Adds the ability to generate a project using ES2015 template #176
• Add --es6 option to enable ES6 compliant syntax #200
• Add typescript support #248
• Add ES module option. #316
• Update vulnerable dependencies #314

It's 2025, yet nothing is done about that.

EDIT: The lead contributor recommended this "alternative" https://github.com/wesleytodd/create-express-app. Guess what? Its last commit was 6 years ago.

[UlisesGascon]

Hey @IgorArnaut! Thanks for the ping, actually we are discussing about it in our regular meetings. So far seems like probably we will deprecate the generator (as it is) but we are looking for alternatives. Another possibility is to onboard new collaborators and help them maintain this package. Are you interested in contributing in this package long term?

[Alon2303]

Hi All,
I had the same thought, s per the npm stats, there are over 6.5k weekly downloads.
I'd love to contribute, long term as well, but i don't have the time to be a lone contributor.

[Alon2303]

@UlisesGascon , i d like to keep this project up and running if i can. is part time realistic at all?

[casantosmu]

I'm willing to contribute to its maintenance. I propose adopting a "lean" philosophy. The focus should be on providing a minimal, modern starting point for beginners with sensible defaults, avoiding overwhelming choices like template engines, databases/ORMs, or complex validation libraries.

A "lean" approach could include:

• ES Modules by default. (Optional CJS might be considered, but ESM is the modern standard).
• Optional TypeScript support (with tsc --watch integration).
• Native node --watch for development scripts, possibly with built-in .env file support.
• Essential config files: .gitignore, .editorconfig.
• Minimal, standard linting/formatting: ESLint + Prettier (similar to create-vite).
• Maybe robust server startup/shutdown basics (e.g., handling listening event errors, graceful shutdown).
• Minimal file structure (e.g., main entry point, maybe one basic router file).
• Support for the npm create express pattern.

The goal would be a minimal setup with strong defaults, much like create-vite provides for frontend projects.

This aligns with some points raised in the newer discussion at expressjs/discussions#197 regarding the need for a modern CLI/scaffolding tool.

What are the maintainers' thoughts on the future direction of this package?

[casantosmu]

I've started a prototype based on this lean approach:

https://github.com/casantosmu/expressjs-generator

Features two minimal templates (JavaScript/ES Modules and TypeScript), with modern defaults for ESLint, Prettier, and EditorConfig. The TypeScript config uses Total TypeScript's recommendations rather than defaults.

I kept it deliberately minimal as a starting point. If there's interest in this approach for the official generator, I'd be happy to contribute and discuss additional features like concurrent TS watch, robust server handling, or logging.

[Alon2303]

@wesleytodd

[IgorArnaut]

Even his generator is outdated and doesn't have ES6 (THE IMPORT X FROM Y and EXPORT DEFAULT) SYNTAX and TYPESCRIPT OPTIONS. It doesn't even have an option NUNJUCKS template engine.

[bjohansebas]

Hey @IgorArnaut, this project is driven by collaborators, none of us get paid to maintain it. The discussion about whether to maintain this package or create a new one is still ongoing, and it has been discussed in several meetings. I hope we make a decision soon, but in the meantime, please show more sympathy and respect.

[wesleytodd]

Haha, wait was this little rant at me? I think you mis-understand the situation @IgorArnaut. As @bjohansebas says, the project is run by volunteers. In this case, not a single volunteer working on Express right now has EVER TOUCHED this package. Not once. This existed years before any of us worked on the project. I created my version as a hopeful collaboration point for the future with my own free time. I never promoted it, never told you to go use it, never moved it into the official org.

So If you want to help get all of this back into shape, GREAT! Start contributing. You don't need my permission or anyone else's here. I have way too many other things on my plate right now to be working on the generator, but if you all wanted to run with it I would for sure not stand in the way.

It is Open Source....do what ever you want. Hopefully have fun while you do it. But I am probably un-following this repo for now.

P.S. I am not a lead maintainer of anything, we have a TC with a governance body. Feel free to read our docs on how the project is run.