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wtf is express-then?

skevy/express-then — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-17 · repo last pushed 2015-03-11

JavaScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 1/5DormantSetup · easy

TL;DR

A small wrapper for Express.js route handlers that lets you use async/await and automatically forwards errors, no try-catch boilerplate needed.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Wraps route handlers
      Auto error forwarding
      Enables async await
    Tech stack
      JavaScript
      Node.js
      Express
    Use cases
      Cleaner REST API handlers
      Remove try-catch boilerplate
      Route async DB or API calls
    Audience
      Node.js developers
      Express API builders

Code map

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Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Wrap an Express route handler so a failed async database call is auto-forwarded to error middleware.

REASON 2

Write REST API endpoints in async/await without manual try-catch blocks.

REASON 3

Simplify existing Express routes that call external APIs.

REASON 4

Reduce boilerplate across many route handlers in a growing Express app.

What's in the stack?

JavaScriptNode.jsExpress

How it stacks up

skevy/express-thena15n/a15na15n/checkout-validation
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Last pushed2015-03-112019-04-072014-09-04
MaintenanceDormantDormantDormant
Setup difficultyeasyeasyeasy
Complexity1/52/52/5
Audiencedevelopergeneraldeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min
No license information was found in the explanation.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Show me how to wrap an existing Express route handler with express-then.
Prompt 2
Rewrite this Express callback-based handler to use async/await with express-then.
Prompt 3
Explain how express-then forwards a thrown error to Express's error handler.
Prompt 4
Help me refactor my Express app's routes to remove repetitive try-catch blocks.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is express-then?

A small wrapper for Express.js route handlers that lets you use async/await and automatically forwards errors, no try-catch boilerplate needed.

What language is express-then written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript, Node.js, Express.

Is express-then actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2015-03-11).

What license does express-then use?

No license information was found in the explanation.

How hard is express-then to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is express-then for?

Mainly developer.

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