GraphQL API with Apollo Server and Railway/Render

Overview

This project is an example of how to create and deploy a GraphQL API using Apollo Server 4 and Railway. It includes basic setup, resolvers, and is configured for easy development and deployment.

Features

• Apollo Server 4: Uses the latest version of Apollo Server to create GraphQL APIs.
• TypeGraphQL: Defines the GraphQL schema using TypeScript decorators.
• Railway Deployment: Easily deployable using the Railway platform.
• Class Validator: Validates input data at the class level.

Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• Node.js: Version 20 or higher.
• Bun: A fast all-in-one runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript.
• Railway: Account set up to deploy the application (optional).

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/graphql-api-with-apollo-server-railway.git
   cd graphql-api-with-apollo-server-railway

2. Install dependencies:

   bun install

3. Configure environment variables. Create a .env file in the root of the project and add:

   PORT=4000

Available Scripts

• bun run dev: Starts the server in development mode.
• bun run dev:watch: Starts the server in development mode with hot-reload.
• bun run build: Compiles TypeScript code to JavaScript.
• bun run build:bun: Compiles the code using Bun with minification.
• bun run start: Compiles and starts the server from the compiled code.

Usage Examples

Starting the Server

To start the server in development mode, use:

bun run dev

The server will be available at http://localhost:4000.

Docker Setup

The project includes a Docker setup with a Dockerfile and docker-compose.yml to handle both development and production environments.

Running the Project with Docker

This project can be easily run using Docker, which helps in setting up a consistent development environment. Follow the steps below to build and run the project using Docker.

Prerequisites

• Docker
• docker-compose

Steps to Build and Run the Project

Navigate to the directory containing the Dockerfile and docker-compose.yml and build the Docker images:

1. Build the Docker Images:

docker-compose build

2. Run in Development Mode:

docker-compose up app

This will start the development server with hot-reload enabled, allowing you to see changes in real-time. The server will be available at http://localhost:4000.

3. Run in Production Mode:

docker-compose up app-prod

This will start the server in production mode. The server will be available at http://localhost:4000.

Example Query

With the server running, you can make a GraphQL query. The following query uses the HelloWorldResolver:

query ExampleQuery($message: String!) {
  log(message: $message)
}

Operation:

{
  "message": "Hello, World!"
}

Expected response:

{
  "data": {
    "log": "Hey there! This is the message: Hello, World!"
  }
}

This repository is part of the post written at https://dev.to/emunhoz/create-and-deploy-your-first-graphql-api-with-apollo-server-4-and-railway-2c3b