Features
- Dependency injection with decorators
- Modular architecture with modules, controllers, and providers
- Built-in support for WebSockets, GraphQL, microservices
- CLI for scaffolding and code generation
Pros
- Enforces consistent, scalable project structure
- Excellent for large teams with its opinionated architecture
- Rich ecosystem of official modules (TypeORM, Mongoose, etc.)
Cons
- Heavy abstraction layer adds complexity for simple APIs
- Decorator-heavy code can feel over-engineered
- Steeper learning curve than Express or Fastify
Overview
NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, scalable server-side applications. Inspired by Angular, it uses TypeScript decorators, dependency injection, and a modular architecture to bring structure to Node.js backend development.
NestJS can use either Express or Fastify as its underlying HTTP platform, giving you the choice between ecosystem compatibility and raw performance. It provides first-class support for REST APIs, GraphQL, WebSockets, microservices, and CQRS patterns, making it a comprehensive solution for enterprise-grade applications.
When to Use
NestJS is the right choice for large, team-based projects that benefit from an opinionated structure, for enterprise applications that need built-in support for patterns like DI and CQRS, or when your team has Angular experience. For simple APIs, lighter frameworks may be more appropriate.
Getting Started
npm i -g @nestjs/cli
nest new my-app
cd my-app && npm run start:dev@Controller("hello")
export class HelloController {
@Get()
getHello(): string {
return "Hello from NestJS";
}
}