How to properly include external css and js files in index.html served with express/nodejs?

Question

I am trying to wrap my html in a nodejs express app (latest version of express). I try using res.sendFile to send my "index.html" file. I am running into an issue where there are a lot of 404s when loading the page in a browser because it can't find any of my js or css files. My js files are in the bower_components directory, some are in "js" directory. My css files are in a "css" directory.

Path for one is:

/bower_components/jquery/dist/jquery.min.js

What is the best way to update in my server.js file and my index.html file so that it can find all the "css" and "js" files?

Jeremy D · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-30 19:42:08Z

4

You can use the directive express.static

var server = express();
server.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'static')));

It will look for a static folder to serve your static files. Just put your css and js files in this folder and reference them in the <head> part of your templates (index.html in your case)

edited Sep 30, 2014 at 19:42

answered Sep 30, 2014 at 19:36

Jeremy D

4,8551 gold badge34 silver badges39 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Elyas74 · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-30 19:40:52Z

2

If you have this two line of code in your app.js file:

app.use(express.static(path.join(__dirname, 'public')));
app.set('views', path.join(__dirname, 'views'));

Then you need to put your HTML files in view folder. I myself use ejs (templator) for render HTML files and more ,by adding this line of code to my app.js :

app.set('view engine', 'ejs');

Then by changing your extention of HTML fils to .ejs you can render them with this code :

res.render('file_name');

More info

For example if you have a css file in /public/css/style.css you have to link to it in your html with this address : ./css/style.css or something like this.

answered Sep 30, 2014 at 19:40

Elyas74

5481 gold badge5 silver badges19 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to properly include external css and js files in index.html served with express/nodejs?

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related