apollo-server/packages/apollo-server-express/README.md

---
title: Express / Connect
description: Setting up Apollo Server with Express.js or Connect
---

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This is the Express and Connect integration of GraphQL Server. Apollo Server is a community-maintained open-source GraphQL server that works with all Node.js HTTP server frameworks: Express, Connect, Hapi, Koa and Restify. [Read the docs](https://www.apollographql.com/docs/apollo-server/). [Read the CHANGELOG.](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-server/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md)

```sh
npm install apollo-server-express
```

## Express

```js
import express from 'express';
import bodyParser from 'body-parser';
import { graphqlExpress } from 'apollo-server-express';

const myGraphQLSchema = // ... define or import your schema here!
const PORT = 3000;

const app = express();

// bodyParser is needed just for POST.
app.use('/graphql', bodyParser.json(), graphqlExpress({ schema: myGraphQLSchema }));

app.listen(PORT);
```

## Connect

```js
import connect from 'connect';
import bodyParser from 'body-parser';
import { graphqlConnect } from 'apollo-server-express';
import http from 'http';

const PORT = 3000;

const app = connect();

// bodyParser is needed just for POST.
app.use('/graphql', bodyParser.json());
app.use('/graphql', graphqlConnect({ schema: myGraphQLSchema }));

http.createServer(app).listen(PORT);
```

## Principles

GraphQL Server is built with the following principles in mind:

* **By the community, for the community**: GraphQL Server's development is driven by the needs of developers
* **Simplicity**: by keeping things simple, GraphQL Server is easier to use, easier to contribute to, and more secure
* **Performance**: GraphQL Server is well-tested and production-ready - no modifications needed

Anyone is welcome to contribute to GraphQL Server, just read [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-server/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md), take a look at the [roadmap](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-server/blob/master/ROADMAP.md) and make your first PR!