Node.js and React as a Windows Service

Deploy a modern web app on Windows Server®, using React® and Node.js®

How to make your app work outside the cloud. A guide for the full stack developer in a hurry.

Published June 2023

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About the book

Node.js and React as a Windows Service is your necessary guide how to get started bundling your Node.js and React app as a Windows service.

  • Use the frameworks and tools you love and bundle for Corporate IT
  • Spend less time on bundling your code and more time on real features
  • Work with the proven WiX framework to create an installer compatible with Windows server
  • Make your app maintainable by Windows IT professionals and third line support
  • Written for full stack JavaScript developers with limited experience building Windows applications

Git repository

Get the complete code for the example app or engage in discussions with other users on Github:

https://github.com/jakobwarnhjelm/webapp-to-winservice

Topics in the book

  • Architecture: data persistence, exposed endpoints
  • How to build: folder structure and mono-repo
  • React frontend: a simple app based on create-react-app exposing both frontend and backend template web page.
  • Node.js backend: an app exposing REST endpoints and a template web page. Using npm-packages requring gyp toolchain.
  • Modify the backend to work as a Windows service. Create an .exe-file.
  • Licenses: generate a text file containing the open source licenses in use.
  • WiX installer: the XML-structure to create the .msi, and configure the Windows service.
  • Using IIS for TLS/SSL and reverse proxy: Beginners guide to setup IIS (Internet Information Services) to handle TLS.