Skip to main content
Version: 3.6.0

Getting Started with Watt

Choose Your Learning Path​

Different developers learn best in different ways. Choose the path that matches your style and available time:

Difficulty Levels:

  • Beginner: No prior Watt experience needed, basic Node.js knowledge helpful
  • Intermediate: Some experience with APIs, databases, and Node.js frameworks
  • Advanced: Deep understanding of Node.js architectures and deployment practices

🎯 Quick Start (5-10 minutes) • Beginner​

Best for: Developers who want immediate results and learn by experimentation Prerequisites: Basic Node.js knowledge (5 minutes setup time)

What you'll accomplish:

  • Get a full-stack app running locally in under 5 minutes
  • See Watt orchestrating multiple applications in a single application server
  • Experience Watt's unified development workflow

Start the Quick Start →

📚 Guided Tutorial (30 minutes) • Beginner to Intermediate​

Best for: Developers who prefer step-by-step learning with detailed explanations Prerequisites: Node.js and basic database concepts (10 minutes setup time)

What you'll build:

  • Complete CRUD application with database, API, and frontend
  • Understanding of Watt's application orchestration
  • Production-ready configuration patterns

Start the Tutorial →

🔍 Example-Driven (15-20 minutes) • Intermediate​

Best for: Developers who learn best from complete, working examples Prerequisites: Node.js, API, and database experience (5 minutes setup time)

What you'll explore:

  • Multiple real-world application patterns
  • Copy-paste ready code for common use cases
  • Architecture patterns for different project types

Browse Examples →

🔄 Migration-Focused (45-60 minutes) • Advanced​

Best for: Teams with existing Node.js applications who want to evaluate Watt Prerequisites: Existing Node.js application and deployment experience (15 minutes setup time)

What you'll accomplish:

  • Assessment framework for migration feasibility
  • Step-by-step migration of an existing app
  • Side-by-side comparison of before/after complexity

Start Migration Guide →

Not Sure Which Path? Use This Decision Tree​

Are you evaluating Watt for an existing project?​

  • Yes → Choose Migration-Focused path
  • No → Continue below

How do you prefer to learn new technologies?​

  • I want to see it working first, then understand how → Choose Quick Start
  • I want detailed explanations as I build → Choose Guided Tutorial
  • I want to see multiple complete examples → Choose Example-Driven

How much time do you have right now?​

  • 10-15 minutes (including setup) → Quick Start
  • 20-25 minutes (including setup) → Example-Driven
  • 40+ minutes (including setup) → Guided Tutorial
  • 60+ minutes (including setup) → Migration-Focused

Success Criteria for Each Path​

Quick Start Success​

✅ You'll know you succeeded when:

  • You have a running app with database, API, and frontend
  • You can create/read data through auto-generated APIs
  • You understand Watt's unified development experience

Estimated completion: 5-10 minutes (+ 5 min setup)
Difficulty: Beginner - requires only basic command line usage
Next step: Try the Guided Tutorial for deeper understanding

Guided Tutorial Success​

✅ You'll know you succeeded when:

  • You've built a complete application from scratch
  • You understand how applications communicate in Watt
  • You can configure different application types

Estimated completion: 30 minutes (+ 10 min setup)
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate - requires understanding of databases and APIs
Next step: Explore Examples for different architecture patterns

Example-Driven Success​

✅ You'll know you succeeded when:

  • You've identified patterns relevant to your use case
  • You understand different ways to structure Watt applications
  • You have starting points for your own projects

Estimated completion: 15-20 minutes (+ 5 min setup)
Difficulty: Intermediate - requires experience with Node.js architectures
Next step: Use Migration Guide to port existing apps, or start the Tutorial

Migration-Focused Success​

✅ You'll know you succeeded when:

  • You have a clear assessment of migration effort for your apps
  • You've successfully migrated a sample application
  • You understand the benefits and trade-offs for your specific use case

Estimated completion: 45-60 minutes (+ 15 min setup)
Difficulty: Advanced - requires deep understanding of existing application architecture
Next step: Begin migration planning for production applications

Understanding Your Application Type​

Full-Stack Web Applications​

Characteristics: Frontend + API + Database all managed together
Best Path: Start with Quick Start, then Guided Tutorial
Why Watt fits: Unified deployment, shared configuration, integrated tooling

API-First Projects​

Characteristics: Backend services with auto-generated documentation
Best Path: Quick Start focusing on database services
Why Watt fits: Auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, built-in OpenAPI

Microservices Architectures​

Characteristics: Multiple services that need orchestration
Best Path: Example-Driven to see service composition patterns
Why Watt fits: Application mesh in a single process, simplified deployment

Existing Node.js Applications​

Characteristics: You have Express, Fastify, Next.js, or other Node.js apps
Best Path: Migration-Focused for evaluation and porting
Why Watt fits: Wrapper patterns for easy integration, gradual migration

First-Time User Experience Flow​

1. Initial Assessment (2 minutes)​

2. Choose Your Path (immediate)​

  • Select one of the four paths based on your assessment
  • Bookmark the other paths for later exploration
  • Set expectations for time investment

3. Complete Your Chosen Path (10-75 minutes depending on path)​

  • Follow your selected path completely
  • Don't jump between paths initially - complete one fully first
  • Take note of concepts that resonate with your use case
  • Allow extra time if you're new to the prerequisite technologies

4. Next Steps Planning (5 minutes)​

  • Review the "Next Step" recommendation for your completed path
  • Identify which additional concepts you need for your project
  • Choose your next learning activity

System Requirements​

Required​

  • Node.js 22.19.0+ (LTS versions recommended)
  • npm 10.0+ or pnpm 8.0+ (pnpm recommended for performance)
  • Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux

Optional (for database features)​

  • PostgreSQL 12+ (recommended for production)
  • MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.3+
  • SQLite (automatically available, good for development)

Quick Environment Check​

node --version    # Should be 22.19.0+
npm --version     # Should be 10.0+
# or
pnpm --version    # Should be 8.0+

Common First-Time Questions​

"How is Watt different from [Express/Next.js/other framework]?"​

Watt is an application server that runs multiple aplications together, rather than replacing your existing framework. Think of it as orchestration layer that can include Express, Next.js, databases, and more in a single deployment.

Quick comparison: Watt vs. Alternatives

"Do I need to rewrite my existing applications?"​

No. Watt provides wrapper patterns that let you integrate existing Express, Fastify, Next.js, and other Node.js applications with minimal changes.

Learn more: Migration Guide

"Is Watt production-ready?"​

Yes. Watt allows you to integrate any existing app and is built on Fastify with production features like structured logging, metrics, health checks, and Kubernetes integration out of the box.

See production examples: Deployment Guide

"What if I only need [database APIs/frontend hosting/etc.]?"​

Watt can run every application you need in a single server. It includes specialized components for databases, APIs, frontend hosting, and more that work together seamlessly or can be used independently.

Explore application types: Architecture Overview

Ready to Start?​

Choose your path above and begin your Watt journey. Each path is designed to give you practical experience with clear success criteria.

Remember: You can always come back and try different paths as you learn more about Watt's capabilities.

Need Help?​

The Watt team and community are active and responsive - don't hesitate to ask questions as you get started.