QuickStart a Node.js App Using a Headless CMS API

One of the core benefits of offloading key development services onto best-in-class APIs is getting your project up and running quickly. We no longer need nor should we be putting our content in a box. There is a vast array of devices from desktop to mobile to watches to cars that need flexible and easily accessible content. The only way to provide content to these destinations is to start our content in the place it will eventually need to go: the API.

Gone are the days of building out a legacy monolithic content management system, because developers are gravitating to the “headless CMS” to allow them to build apps using their favorite frameworks and technologies, while giving their marketers and content managers a web-based Dashboard to create and manage content with simple, scalable content modeling tools. Content and code remain decoupled, allowing each member of a cross-functional team to work with only the tools they need to get their job done.

Cosmic JS offers a headless CMS that enables content managers and developers to work better together. By providing an intuitive Admin Dashboard, powerful APIs, and flexible user roles, applications are built faster, more light-weight, and your whole team ends up saving time in the process. To demonstrate how easy it is to get started with Cosmic JS, I’ll install a Node.js Starter using the Cosmic JS CLI and connect it with my Cosmic JS Bucket Dashboard.

TL;DR:

Node.js StarterDeveloper DocsNode.js Knowledge Base Developer Articles: Node.js

QuickStart a Node.js App using a Headless CMS API

Cosmic JS is an example of a robust headless CMS and API that’s promoting collaboration on cross-functional teams to build apps faster. Get started building Cosmic-powered apps in seconds 🚀 We have Node.js, React, Vue, Gatsby and Serverless Starters to help you get your project started quickly.

🛠️ Installation

Install via the Cosmic CLI:

I set up an example Bucket for this blog:

Run cosmic -h for a list of all commands. Run cosmic [command] -h for details on options for a specific command. You're now up and running with a Node.js Starter that can be managed entirely from your Cosmic JS Bucket Dashboard and Command Line Terminal tool of choice.

Conclusion

I was able to easily install a Node.js Starter using a headless CMS API that I can now use to manage dynamic content changes. When ditching the installed content management system and going API-first isn’t quick enough, check out the Starter Apps from Cosmic JS to get a project up and running in seconds. 🔥

If you have any comments or questions about building Node.js apps with Cosmic JS, reach out to us on Twitter and join the conversation on Slack.