---
title: Express
description: The Express middleware is a basic wrapper around Javascript SDK. It provides a simple way to add the SDK to your Express application.
---

import Link from 'next/link';
import { Callout } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/callout';
import { DeviceIdWarning } from '@/components/device-id-warning';
import { PersonalDataWarning } from '@/components/personal-data-warning';

import CommonSdkConfig from '@/components/common-sdk-config.mdx';

<Callout>
Looking for a step-by-step tutorial? Check out the [Express analytics guide](/guides/express-analytics).
</Callout>

## Installation

```bash
pnpm install @openpanel/express
```

## Usage

The default export of `@openpanel/express` is a function that returns an Express middleware. It will also append the Openpanel SDK to the `req` object.

You can access it via `req.op`.

```ts
import express from 'express';

import createOpenpanelMiddleware from '@openpanel/express';

const app = express();

app.use(
  createOpenpanelMiddleware({
    clientId: 'xxx',
    clientSecret: 'xxx',
    // trackRequest(url) {
    //   return url.includes('/v1')
    // },
    // getProfileId(req) {
    //   return req.user.id
    // }
  })
);

app.get('/sign-up', (req, res) => {
  // track sign up events
  req.op.track('sign-up', {
    email: req.body.email,
  });
  res.send('Hello World');
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server is running on http://localhost:3000');
});
```

### Options

<CommonSdkConfig />

#### Express options

- `trackRequest` - A function that returns `true` if the request should be tracked.
- `getProfileId` - A function that returns the profile ID of the user making the request.

## Working with Groups

Groups let you track analytics at the account or company level. Since Express is a backend SDK, you can upsert groups and assign users from your route handlers.

See the [Groups guide](/docs/get-started/groups) for the full walkthrough.

```ts
app.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
  const user = await loginUser(req.body);

  // Identify the user
  req.op.identify({ profileId: user.id, email: user.email });

  // Create/update the group entity
  req.op.upsertGroup({
    id: user.organizationId,
    type: 'company',
    name: user.organizationName,
    properties: { plan: user.plan },
  });

  // Assign the user to the group
  req.op.setGroup(user.organizationId);

  res.json({ ok: true });
});
```

## Typescript

If `req.op` is not typed you can extend the `Request` interface.

```ts
import { OpenPanel } from '@openpanel/express';

declare global {
  namespace Express {
    export interface Request {
      op: OpenPanel;
    }
  }
}
```