This guide will help you set up a new Orionjs project quickly by using our example repository.

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Prerequisites

  • Node.js (v22 or later)
  • pnpm package manager
  • tsx installed in your project
  • MongoDB (local instance or connection string)
  • Basic knowledge of TypeScript and Node.js

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Using the Example Project

The fastest way to get started with Orionjs is to use our example project. It provides a fully functioning application that demonstrates the core features and best practices. 
# Clone the entire Orionjs repository
git clone https://github.com/orionjs/orionjs-services-starter

# Navigate to the example directory
cd orionjs-services-starter

# Install dependencies
pnpm install

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Project Structure

The example project follows the standard Orionjs structure: 
example/
├── app/                # Main application code
│   ├── config/         # Application configuration
│   ├── exampleComponent/ # Example component implementation
│   ├── env.d.ts        # Environment type definitions
│   └── index.ts        # Application entry point
├── .env.local.yml      # Environment variables
├── package.json        # Project dependencies
├── start.sh            # Start script for local development
└── tsconfig.json       # TypeScript configuration
For a more detailed explanation of the project structure, check out our Project Structure guide.

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Running the Application

Before running the application, make sure you have MongoDB running. The example project is configured to connect to mongodb://localhost:3003/example by default. You can start the application in development mode using: 
# Using the provided start script
./start.sh

# Or manually
export ORION_ENV_SECRET_KEY=pk+uJ3wTEZxuDWKF6zdeypUzQQNkKE3i+bnfHe6g+RU=
export ORION_ENV_FILE_PATH=.env.local.yml
export PORT=3010
pnpm orion dev
The application will start, and you can access it at http://localhost:3010.

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Key Features of the Example

The example project demonstrates several key features of Orionjs:
  • Component-based architecture
  • Configuration management
  • Environment variable handling
  • TypeScript integration
  • Project structure best practices

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Learning from the Example

We recommend exploring the example code to understand:
  1. How components are organized and structured
  2. Configuration patterns for different environments
  3. The integration between different Orionjs modules
  4. How to set up and manage environment variables securely

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Customizing the Example

After getting the example running, you can start customizing it:
  1. Create your own components following the same structure
  2. Add or modify HTTP controllers for REST endpoints
  3. Implement GraphQL resolvers and models
  4. Set up background jobs or event-driven features with Echoes
  5. Configure database connections for your specific needs

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Next Steps

After exploring the example project, check out our other documentation sections to learn more about specific aspects of Orionjs: Happy coding with Orionjs!