How to create an HTTP server in Node.js

Small HTTP endpoints often begin before a project needs routing, middleware, or a framework dependency. The built-in node:http module is enough to establish the request-and-response boundary and return a predictable local result.

Every request listener receives an incoming request object and a response object. The handler can inspect the method and URL, set the status and content type, and finish the response without installing another package.

The listener uses 127.0.0.1:3000 so only programs on the same machine can reach it. Exposing a Node.js process to other hosts also requires deliberate network controls, production process management, and application hardening beyond this local server.

1. Create server.js with the built-in HTTP import and loopback listener settings.

   server.js

   const http = require("node:http");
    
   const host = "127.0.0.1";
   const port = 3000;

2. Add the request handler below the listener settings in server.js.

   function handleRequest(request, response) {
     response.setHeader("Content-Type", "text/plain; charset=utf-8");
    
     if (request.method === "GET" && request.url === "/") {
       response.statusCode = 200;
       response.end("Node HTTP server ready\n");
       return;
     }
    
     response.statusCode = 404;
     response.end("Not found\n");
   }

   The fallback response gives every unsupported method or path an explicit 404 result instead of silently returning the root content.

3. Append the server construction and startup callback below handleRequest().

   const server = http.createServer(handleRequest);
    
   server.listen(port, host, () => {
     console.log(`Server listening at http://${host}:${port}/`);
   });

4. Verify server.js matches the completed file.

   server.js

   const http = require("node:http");
    
   const host = "127.0.0.1";
   const port = 3000;
    
   function handleRequest(request, response) {
     response.setHeader("Content-Type", "text/plain; charset=utf-8");
    
     if (request.method === "GET" && request.url === "/") {
       response.statusCode = 200;
       response.end("Node HTTP server ready\n");
       return;
     }
    
     response.statusCode = 404;
     response.end("Not found\n");
   }
    
   const server = http.createServer(handleRequest);
    
   server.listen(port, host, () => {
     console.log(`Server listening at http://${host}:${port}/`);
   });

5. Start the HTTP server from the directory containing server.js.

   $ node server.js
   Server listening at http://127.0.0.1:3000/

   The running Node.js process keeps the listener available for the request checks.

6. Open a second terminal for the HTTP requests while node server.js remains running in the first terminal.
7. Request an unknown path to confirm the fallback response returns 404.

   $ curl -sS -i http://127.0.0.1:3000/missing
   HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
   Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
   ##### snipped #####
   
   Not found

8. Request the root path to confirm the server returns 200 and the expected response body.

   $ curl -sS -i http://127.0.0.1:3000/
   HTTP/1.1 200 OK
   Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
   ##### snipped #####
   
   Node HTTP server ready