A practical, condensed version of <Node.js + NestJS Textbook>, revamped for the AI era!

This course helps you understand the entire backend development process by building everything step by step, from an HTTP server to AI services. You will develop the ability to read and understand AI-generated code while learning core concepts such as servers, databases, HTTP, login, and deployment, along with practical applications of Node.js, Express, and NestJS through hands-on exercises.

(5.0) 4 reviews

163 learners

Level Basic

Course period Unlimited

Node.js
Node.js
Express
Express
TypeScript
TypeScript
NestJS
NestJS
database
database
Node.js
Node.js
Express
Express
TypeScript
TypeScript
NestJS
NestJS
database
database

What you will gain after the course

  • Understanding the core concepts of servers, clients, login, HTTP, databases, and deployment

  • The ability to read server code implemented by AI and understand its flow

  • A perspective that connects scattered backend concepts into a unified service architecture

  • Understanding Node.js-Based Server Architecture and Database Integration Principles

The era of AI implementing code,

What abilities will be important?


AI writes code thousands or even tens of thousands of times faster than humans. But...

AI-generated code carries significantly more risks.

Therefore, you should not rely on it 100%. Now...

1. The ability to read and understand AI-generated code
2. A precise understanding of concepts so you can give the right instructions

Two key skills are essential.


Can you answer the following questions on your own?

1. how servers and clients communicate
2. what role cookies and sessions play in the login process
3. how data is structured in the database
4. how the service is deployed


AI can explain each concept.

However, when you try to understand one concept, ten new concepts pop up!
In this course, we’ll clearly organize how each concept is connected within an actual service
and give you a proper understanding of the big picture.

From servers and clients to requests and responses

We open the basic server code and trace how the client's request reaches the server and returns as a response.

Through the process of connecting login and data storage

Understand the sign-up, login, social login, cookies, sessions, and image upload code in an Express project.

From TypeScript, NestJS, and AI services to deployment

Migrate an existing JavaScript project to TypeScript, then deploy NestJS social media and AI assistant apps to AWS.

Why Node.js and NestJS?
Using JavaScript and TypeScript, you can build both the client and server in the same language. Node.js is well-suited for handling many asynchronous requests, and its wide range of AI SDKs and npm ecosystem make it ideal for quickly building AI services.

Unlike highly flexible frameworks such as Express, NestJS clearly separates the roles and flow of the code through modules, controllers, providers, and guards. This makes it easy to understand the structure even as the project grows, and helps you determine where to start reading and modifying AI-generated code.


From web servers to authentication, databases, and AI agents
we will read together real-world project code using Node.js, Express, TypeScript, and NestJS
.

Rather than stopping at running AI-generated code
, you will grow into a developer who can read, evaluate, and modify it.


By the end of this course, you will be able to

Outcome 1: You can trace the flow of server code implemented by AI

  • You can explain the process by which a client’s request reaches the server, passes through the router, authentication, business logic, and database, and returns as a response. Even when faced with unfamiliar server code, you can determine where to start reading.

Outcome 2: You can explain how disparate backend concepts are connected

  • You can explain the roles of the server and client, cookies and sessions, and login and the database, as well as how they are connected to one another, within the overall flow of the service.

Result 3: You can determine what to check before modifying the code

  • When an error occurs, you can establish a basis for deciding what to check first among the request, authentication status, data retrieval, environment variables, and deployment settings, rather than changing the code blindly.

✔️

Practical learning that teaches the concepts and connections needed to read AI-generated code

Connect everything from the principles of HTTP servers
to NestJS and AI services

Build your first server with Node.js and progressively implement everything from REST APIs, status codes, the module system, and middleware to database and authentication structures.
Transition from Express to TypeScript and NestJS while directly exploring the code flow and scalable backend architecture.

A project where you directly implement NodeBird SNS and an AI agent

Implement sign-up and login, Kakao login, cookies and sessions, image uploads, follows, and hashtags in the NodeBird SNS.
Then connect multiple AI models and build an AI Agent service that manages chat rooms and conversation history.

Follow along with the code flow and deployment process of the hands-on project

In this course, you will work with real project code, covering everything from database integration using Drizzle ORM to configuring NestJS modules, providers, guards, pipes, and DTOs.
You will also manage versions with Git and GitHub and deploy to AWS, making your service available for others to use!

PPTs, supplementary notes, and infographics to help you understand the material

Explanations can be difficult to understand through words alone, so visual materials are helpful, right? That’s why we explain everything with over 100 images! We’re also providing 8 supplementary notes covering topics included in the book but not covered in the lectures, so you won’t miss out!


📚

A hands-on journey to building everything from an HTTP server to an AI service

Section 1

Basic Concepts of Servers and Node.js

Install Node.js and build an HTTP server yourself to learn how servers work. Practice Node.js core concepts such as reading files, automatic restarts, buffers and streams, and asynchronous processing.


Section 2

REST APIs and Module Systems

Build a REST server using Node’s basic functionality, and learn the meaning and use of HTTP status codes. You will also understand the differences between the two module systems used in JavaScript and how to apply them.


Section 3

Using the Express Framework

Learn how to install external code using a package manager and configure a server with Express. Build a practical web server using middleware, static files, cookies and sessions, separated routers, error handling, and template engines.


Section 4

Databases and ORM

Learn the basic principles of using databases on a server and the process of integrating data. Define schemas using an object-relational mapper and practice querying and manipulating databases.


Section 5

Hands-on Project: NodeBird SNS

Complete the social network service by implementing Git-based version control, project structure, many-to-many relationships, sign-up and login, Kakao login, and image uploads. Develop server separation, hashtags, follows, and other service features to learn the practical backend development workflow.


Section 6

Introducing TypeScript

Convert the existing Node project to TypeScript and apply static typing, type definitions, and the compilation process. Learn how to improve the code into server code that is more type-safe and easier to maintain.


Section 7

Migrating to the NestJS framework

Build NestJS applications using modules, guards, middleware, and providers. Practice authentication, lifecycle management, interceptors, circular dependencies, exception filters, parameter decorators, rendering, pipes, data transfer objects, and the principles of dependency injection.


Section 8

Hands-on Project: AI Agent Service

Build an agent service that connects multiple AI models, and implement a chat interface and conversation room management features. Complete an AI-powered backend application by storing chat history, adding custom AI providers, and extending agent functionality.


Section 9

Service Deployment and Operations Preparation

Prepare the environment to deploy the project and manage the source code with Git and GitHub. Deploy the server to Amazon Web Services and complete the process of deploying the AI agent service to a production environment.


You can resolve these concerns
for people like this!

📌

JavaScript developers preparing to get started with backend development

This is suitable for those who can build screens but are unsure how requests are processed by the server and saved to the database. By reading actual code in sequence, from a basic HTTP server through authentication and data storage, you can grasp the overall flow of the backend.

📌

Junior developers focused on frontend

This is suitable for those who find it difficult to know where to look when an API error occurs—whether in the status codes, cookies, sessions, or authentication handling. You can understand how a request from the screen passes through Express and the database before returning as a response.

📌

Aspiring entrepreneurs building services with vibe coding

This is suitable for those who have successfully run server code written by AI but find it difficult to explain where login is handled, where data is stored, or how to fix errors. You will gain an understanding of the overall structure, from TypeScript and NestJS to AI model integration and cloud deployment.




Notes Before Taking the Course


Practice Environment

  • The exercises are conducted on Windows (they can also be completed in a Mac environment).

  • Node.js, VS Code, and Git are required (installation is covered in the course).
    At least 8 GB of memory is recommended.

  • We use Node.js@26, Express@5, and NestJS@11.

  • The AI assistant app hands-on practice may require an API key for an AI service. Costs may also be incurred during account creation and service usage in the AWS deployment practice, so be sure to check whether you will be charged.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Important Notes

  • This course proceeds on the assumption that you understand the basics of JavaScript syntax.

  • Even if you don't know the syntax, you can take the course if you can use AI assistance to get a general understanding as you go.

  • This course does not teach coding; it covers server architecture, how servers work, and related concepts.

  • Having a background in frontend development and web fundamentals will be helpful when taking this course.

Learning Materials

  • We use the code shown in the lectures and the hands-on practice materials. They are all available on GitHub.

  • On GitHub, the slides folder contains the lecture PPTs, and the notes folder contains supplementary notes.

  • The ch5, ch6, and ch9 folders contain infographic images, so please refer to them.

Recommended for
these people

Who is this course right for?

  • Developers who know the basics of JavaScript and are looking to start backend development

  • A frontend developer who wants to improve their server-side development skills

  • A vibe coder who does vibe coding but wants to understand how servers work.

  • Learners who want to learn how to use the Node.js and NestJS frameworks in practice

Need to know before starting?

  • Understanding basic JavaScript syntax and asynchronous processing concepts

  • Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS and an understanding of how the web works

  • Basic experience using the terminal (command line)

Hello
This is zerocho

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Courses

One of the key strengths of my courses is the Q&A support (Winner of the Inflearn Q&A King award twice). I respond to your questions within 24 hours, doing my best to help you out! I’ll answer your questions with the mindset that we are tackling the problems together!

One of the key strengths of my courses is the Q&A support. (Winner of the Inflearn Q&A King award twice) I respond to your questions within 24 hours, doing my best to help you out! You’ll feel like we’re solving the problems together.

👉ZeroCho Lectures
ZeroCho's full lecture roadmap. A complete roadmap of all my courses is available here.

– Author of Node.js Textbook, Self-Guided JavaScript by ZeroCho, Let's Get IT JavaScript, and TypeScript Textbook
– ZeroCho.com Operator
– Currently) Broadcasting development-related content on ZeroCho TV via YouTube
– Formerly) Smoretalk CTO
– Formerly) CTO of Today's Pickup (Youngest Development Team Lead at Kakao Mobility after exit to Kakao Mobility)

  • Author of Node.js Textbook, Self-Guided JavaScript by ZeroCho, Let's Get IT JavaScript, and TypeScript Textbook

  • Operator of ZeroCho.com

  • Currently running a YouTube channel ZeroCho TV, covering development topics

  • Former CTO at SmoreTalk

  • Former CTO at Today Pickup (acquired by Kakao Mobility, where I became the youngest lead developer)

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Curriculum

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52 lectures ∙ (7hr 33min)

Course Materials:

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Reviews

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4 reviews

5.0

4 reviews

  • dydisme님의 프로필 이미지
    dydisme

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    5

    85% enrolled

    Since it was my first time working with a framework, I proceeded with some uncertainty, but the materials were easy to understand and the lessons were explained so thoughtfully. I was really satisfied! 😎 Even beginners to frameworks like me can take this course without difficulty, and in the second half, you can also learn how to apply what you’ve learned in practical work. The fact that it also allows you to study advanced topics is another reason I’d recommend this course to everyone.

    • judy28님의 프로필 이미지
      judy28

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      It was great being able to learn step by step, starting with Node.js and progressing through TypeScript to NestJS. I could realistically picture the actual development process. Thanks to this, I’ve gone from simply copying and pasting AI-generated code to being able to read code myself. I learned the overall picture of backend development in a short period, so I’m planning to review it once more.

      • jinjin3537님의 프로필 이미지
        jinjin3537

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        • vientokk님의 프로필 이미지
          vientokk

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