The missing backend
framework for React.
Build type-safe backend APIs using React components. No context switching. No new paradigms. Just React, running on the server. Yes, it's real.
export function GET() {
return (
<Response status={200}>
<Users>
<User id="1" name="Alice" />
<User id="2" name="Bob" />
</Users>
</Response>
)
}Because context-switching is exhausting and I was bored
You already know React. You understand components, props, and composition. You've mastered hooks and the mental model of declarative UI. You probably dream in JSX at this point.
But when it's time to build an API, you're forced to context-switch into Express, Fastify, or whatever backend framework is trendy this week. Different patterns. Different conventions. Different mental models. It's like being fluent in Spanish but having to write your grocery list in Mandarin.
React Serve eliminates that friction. Write your backend logic the same way you write your frontend—with components, JSX, and TypeScript. Get automatic type safety, built-in validation, and a developer experience that feels native to React. Is it unconventional? Absolutely. Does it work? Surprisingly well.
It's not about replacing everything. It's about giving React developers a first-class option for building APIs without leaving the ecosystem they love. Some people think it's genius. Others think it's cursed. Both are probably right.
Before & After
See what building a backend API looks like with traditional Node.js vs ReactServe. Same functionality, different paradigm.
import express from 'express';
import { body, validationResult } from 'express-validator';
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());
// Get all users
app.get('/api/users', async (req, res) => {
try {
const users = await db.query('SELECT * FROM users');
res.json(users);
} catch (error) {
res.status(500).json({ error: 'Server error' });
}
});
// Create user with validation
app.post(
'/api/users',
body('email').isEmail(),
body('name').notEmpty(),
async (req, res) => {
const errors = validationResult(req);
if (!errors.isEmpty()) {
return res.status(400).json(errors);
}
// Create user logic...
}
);Type-Safe by Default
Zod validation gives you end-to-end type safety without manual type definitions.
Declarative Syntax
JSX components instead of imperative route handlers. Compose and reuse like React.
Less Boilerplate
No middleware chains, no manual validation checks. Just clean, readable code.
Everything you need to ship APIs fast
Type-Safe APIs
End-to-end type safety from request to response. TypeScript infers types across your entire API surface, catching errors before they reach production.
Zero Config Routing
File-based routing that just works. Drop a component in /api and it becomes an endpoint. Supports dynamic routes, middleware, and nested layouts.
Built-in Validation
Declarative request validation using React components. Define your schema once, get runtime validation and TypeScript types automatically.
Composable Middleware
Middleware as React components. Compose authentication, logging, rate limiting, and custom logic using the component patterns you already know.
Streaming Responses
First-class support for streaming data. Send real-time updates, server-sent events, or chunked responses using React Suspense patterns.
AI-Native Patterns
Built for the AI era. Stream LLM responses, handle tool calls, and manage conversational state with React components designed for AI workflows.
See it in action
Real-world patterns you'll use every day
export function GET() {
const users = await db.users.findMany()
return (
<Response status={200}>
<Users data={users} />
</Response>
)
}Developers love ReactServe!
(Well, some do. Others think it's cursed. We're here for both reactions.)
This is cool but an abomination
As a certified React hater, this gives me the creeps.
As a developer though, I'm impressed.
I'm just bored.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
It works?
Why? Just why?
This is sleek!!!. I love it
Why do I feel this is a bad idea?
* All reactions are real. Yes, even the "eww" ones.
Pairs well with
Works seamlessly with the tools you already use
Perfect companion for Next.js apps
Deploy in seconds
Type-safe database access
End-to-end typesafety
Schema validation
AI integrations
Backend as a service
Payment processing
How it stacks up
React Serve vs traditional Node.js frameworks
| Feature | React Serve | Express | Fastify |
|---|---|---|---|
| React-native syntax | |||
| Type inference | |||
| Built-in validation | |||
| Streaming responses | |||
| Component composition | |||
| Zero config routing |
Ship your first API in minutes
Install React Serve
Get started in seconds with our CLI
npx create-react-serve@latest my-api
Create your first endpoint
Drop a component in /api and you're done
export function GET() {
return <Response data={{ hello: "world" }} />
}Deploy to production
One command to deploy anywhere
npm run deploy
Simple, transparent pricing
Start free. Scale when you're ready.
Free
Perfect for side projects and learning
- Unlimited API endpoints
- Type-safe routing
- Built-in validation
- React hooks & patterns
- Community support
- MIT licensed
Pro
For serious builders shipping to production
- Everything in Free
- Premium middleware library
- Advanced dev tools
- Performance monitoring
- Priority support
- Team collaboration
- Early access to features
Team
For teams building at scale
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited team members
- SSO & enterprise auth
- Team analytics
- Dedicated support channel
- Custom SLA
- Architecture consultation
What's next
Our vision for the future of React backends
Core Framework
- File-based routing
- Type-safe responses
- Built-in validation
- Middleware composition
Developer Experience
- CLI tooling
- Hot module replacement
- Error boundaries
- DevTools extension
Production Features
- Performance monitoring
- Distributed tracing
- Rate limiting
- Caching strategies
Enterprise
- Multi-tenancy support
- Advanced auth patterns
- Audit logging
- Compliance tools
Frequently asked questions
Built by a cracked engineer
Akinkunmi
@xt42io · Somewhere in the multiverse
I'm just bored, honestly. Been shipping React since the class component days, and at some point I looked at my backend code and thought "why am I writing app.get() like it's 2014?"
So I built React Serve. Is it cursed? Maybe. Is it an abomination? Some people think so. Do I care? Not really. It works, it's type-safe, and it lets me write my entire stack in React.
React Serve is MIT licensed, built in public, and probably hunting someone's dreams right now. Let's build.