Starting Express.js applications with PM2

I recently ran into an issue with PM2. I have created a “helloworld” applications using Express.js.

[root@nodejs projects]# express helloworld
 warning: the default view engine will not be jade in future releases
   warning: use --view=jade' or--help' for additional options
 create : helloworld/
    create : helloworld/public/
    create : helloworld/public/javascripts/
    create : helloworld/public/images/
    create : helloworld/public/stylesheets/
    create : helloworld/public/stylesheets/style.css
    create : helloworld/routes/
    create : helloworld/routes/index.js
    create : helloworld/routes/users.js
    create : helloworld/views/
    create : helloworld/views/error.jade
    create : helloworld/views/index.jade
    create : helloworld/views/layout.jade
    create : helloworld/app.js
    create : helloworld/package.json
    create : helloworld/bin/
    create : helloworld/bin/www
 change directory:
      $ cd helloworld
 install dependencies:
      $ npm install
 run the app:
      $ DEBUG=helloworld:* npm start

The application started without issues with npm start.

Next I started the application with PM2

[root@nodejs helloworld]# pm2 start app.js

PM2 displayed the application as “online”, but it constantly restarted and was not accessible.

I found the solution here

[root@nodejs helloworld]# pm2 start bin/www

did the trick for me.