Crash Course
Skill Surge
A crash course designed to teach you the essentials of modern API development in Node.js in just 21 days.
Figure out if backend is your thing
Most people don't know where to start with backend.
Maybe you've tried, maybe you haven't.
Either way, if you've landed here, you're probably wondering if this whole "backend development" thing is actually possible for you.
You watched videos, spun up a server, followed a few tutorials. But nothing really clicked.
You kept running into things that weren explained. You bounced between routes, middleware, and HTTP jargon without seeing how it all fits. Requests, responses, status codes... then suddenly errors and you're stuck, momentum gone.
And now you're not even sure what the next step is, or if it's even worth trying again.
Here's the truth: you're not the problem, you've just never had the right structure.
No roadmap. No support. No chance to build a small API that actually works (and know why it works).
That's about to change.
What you'll learn in just 21 days
You won't just follow steps — you'll understand what each one does and why it matters.
By the end of the 21 days, you'll know how to:
- Use your terminal like a backend developer to run tasks and scripts with confidence
- Understand requests and responses: routes, params, query strings, JSON bodies, status codes
- Handle errors and validate input with a clean middleware pattern
- Persist data safely without a database (in-memory / JSON file)
- Build a small Node.js + Express REST API without relying on copy-paste
How the course works
Here's what to expect once you enroll.
Each day, you'll get an email that links to a new lesson.
Each lesson takes at most 1 hour to complete and is designed to:
- Teach you one fundamental concept
- Explain and demonstrate how it works in context
- Walk you through a short practical exercise you'll run on your own machine
You'll code locally using real tools: the terminal, VS Code, and Node.js.
No in-browser editors.
No copy-paste templates.
No filler content.
You can go at your own pace, but the daily drip will help you keep moving forward.
And if you get stuck or want feedback, you'll have access to a private channel with the other participants.
The curriculum
Here's an overview of the chapters composing this crash course.
Day 1: Setup Guide
In this lesson, you'll install Node.js and a code editor, verify your setup from the terminal, and run your first script.
Day 2: How the web works
In this lesson, you'll learn how the web works by exploring clients, servers, requests, responses, and where Express fits in.
Day 3: Start a tiny Express server
In this lesson, you'll scaffold a tiny Express app and return your first JSON response from a real server.
Day 4: Making real HTTP requests
In this lesson, you'll send real HTTP requests with curl, add headers and bodies, and read responses.
Day 5: Routes, params & query strings
In this lesson, you'll define routes with path params and query strings, then return structured JSON data.
Day 6: Handling JSON request bodies
In this lesson, you'll parse JSON request bodies with express.json(), validate inputs, and handle errors gracefully.
Day 7: Controllers vs services
In this lesson, you'll split controllers from services so your request handlers stay clean and maintainable.
Day 8: Error handling & status codes
In this lesson, you'll add centralized error handling and return the right status codes with clear messages.
Day 9: In-memory data store
In this lesson, you'll model resources with an in-memory data store and generate unique IDs for each item.
Day 10: JSON file persistence
In this lesson, you'll persist data by reading and writing a JSON file and handling basic file system errors.
Day 11: Update & delete safely
In this lesson, you'll implement safe update and delete operations with proper validation and 404 handling.
Day 12: List, filter, sort & paginate
In this lesson, you'll build list endpoints that support filtering, sorting, and pagination with useful metadata.
Day 13: Debugging & verification
In this lesson, you'll practice debugging by verifying endpoints manually and reading stack traces effectively.
Day 14: Environment & npm scripts
In this lesson, you'll configure environment variables, load them with dotenv, and streamline npm scripts.
Day 15: Better error messages
In this lesson, you'll improve error messages by standardizing shapes and giving context without leaking internals.
Day 16: API ergonomics
In this lesson, you'll polish your API design with consistent naming, response structures, and status conventions.
Day 17: Refactor into folders
In this lesson, you'll refactor your code into routes, controllers, services, and utils for better organization.
Day 18: Requests collection
In this lesson, you'll create a request collection with Postman files to speed up testing.
Day 19: README & runbook
In this lesson, you'll write a professional README and runbook that explain how to run and verify your project.
Day 20: Final polish
In this lesson, you'll polish your API by cleaning up code, fixing inconsistencies, and preparing for handoff.
Day 21: Capstone mini-API
In this lesson, you'll ship your first mini-API with full CRUD, persistence, and polish—your first real backend project.
Who is this for?
- For beginner Node.js developer who want to discover backend development
- For frontend Node.js developers who want to step into full-stack development
Do I need prior knowledge?
To complete this module, you will need to be familiar with the following topics.
Why learn from me?
Hi, I'm Razvan 👋 — A university dropout turned senior backend engineer, technical writer, online teacher, and founder of Learn Backend.
It's no secret: learning backend development on your own is extremely hard.
Before becoming a senior Node.js engineer with now over a decade of experience, I also failed at it for years... and probably for the same reasons you're struggling with it right now.
The internet is full of content, but very little direction. No one tells you what to learn first, what to ignore, or how it all fits together.
This is why I created Learn Backend: a roadmap that teaches the core principles first, gradually introduces hands-on skills, and shows how all the pieces logically fit together.
I wanted to give people like me, and maybe you, the best fighting chance to make it in the software industry as job-ready backend developers — without wasting the years or facing the same unnecessary hurdles I did.
So if you're tired of guessing what to learn next or overwhelmed by all the noise, Learn Backend was built for you.
Join the Skill Surge waitlist
A crash course designed to teach you the essentials of modern backend REST API principles and development in Node.js in just 21 days.
Join the waitlist
Doors will open soon
By submitting this form, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
What's included:
- 21 lessons with code examples
- 12 exercises with commented solutions
- Daily email reminders
- Lifetime access
- Exclusive offers
Everything else you need to know
You've got questions? We've got answers.
Is this video-based or text-based?
The course is delivered as full-length written lessons with code.
Each lesson explains concepts in depth and walks through real implementations. You are expected to code along locally.
Is this a part of the Learn Backend program?
No.
This is a standalone course. If you finish and want to go deeper, you can explore the "Build RESTful APIs in Node.js" and "Build Layered Services in Node.js" courses.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not much.
If you're comfortable with basic JavaScript (variables, arrays, loops), you're good. This is for beginners new to backend, not "learn coding from zero."
What tools will I use?
A terminal, VS Code, and Node.js LTS.
We'll walk you through installing and verifying everything on Day 1. No Git. No Docker. No database.
What if I fall behind?
Go at your own pace.
You'll keep access to all lessons even after the 21 days.
What will I actually build?
A small Node.js + Express REST API for one resource (e.g., /notes).
You'll handle routes, JSON bodies, errors, and simple persistence (in-memory → JSON file).
How much time per day should I dedicate to it?
30-45 minutes for most lessons.
A few polish days might take a bit longer if you want to explore.
When does it start?
Any day you choose.
Sign up and Day 1 lands in your inbox immediately. One email per day after that.
What if I get stuck?
Each lesson includes example commands, expected outputs, and a tiny troubleshooting box.
If you want ongoing feedback and coaching, that's what Mastery Pro is for.
Will this help me get a job?
It gives you the foundation and momentum.
To become job-ready, you'll want the full roadmap, courses, and projects.
Do I need internet access?
Yes, to install Node.js and fetch dependencies.
After that, you're mostly working locally.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes.
If for whatever reason you aren't 100% satisfied with your experience, send us an email within the first 7 days of purchase at support@learnbackend.dev and we'll refund your entire payment.
No hard feelings. No questions asked.
Does the module work for all operating systems?
The module is primarily designed to work on Linux-based and macOS operating systems.
These environments are essential for learning backend development effectively, as they align with industry standards and provide the necessary tools and features.
However, if you're using Windows, we recommend setting up the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on your machine to follow along.
I've got more questions, how can I reach you?
You can send us an email at support@learnbackend.dev or send us a direct message on Discord.