Node Express JS Set, Get, and Delete Cookie Example

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create/set, get, and delete cookies in node js + express js applications.

Create, Get & Delete Cookies with Node Express JS Server

Here are steps:

Step 1 – Create Node Express js App

Run the following command on cmd to create node js app:

mkdir my-app
cd my-app
npm init -y

Step 2 – Install cookie-parser node module

Run the following command on the cmd to install express and cookie parser modules:

npm install express cookie-parser --save

Step 3 – Create Cookie Route

Create a cookie route and use res.cookie([cookie name], [options object]) which allows you to set cookies:

// SET COOKIE
app.get('/set-cookie', (req, res) => {
    res.cookie('username', 'Webtutorials.ME', {
        maxAge: 1000 * 60, // 1 min
        httpOnly: true // http only, prevents JavaScript cookie access
    });
    // REDIRECT OT HOME
    res.redirect('/');
});

Step 4 – Get Cookie Route

Get cookie route in node js + express app:

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
    let cookieVal = req.cookies.username;
    let show;

    if (cookieVal) {
        show = `Hi ${cookieVal} <br><a href="/delete-cookie">Delete Cookie</a>`;
    } else {
        show = `<a href="/set-cookie">Set Cookie</a><br>
        <a href="/delete-cookie">Delete Cookie</a><br>`;
    }
    res.send(show);
});

Step 5 – Delete Cookie Route

Create a cookie deletion route using res.ClearCookie('name') that allows deleting cookies:

// DELETE COOKIE
app.get('/delete-cookie', (req, res) => {
    //DELETING username COOKIE
    res.clearCookie('username');
    // REDIRECT OT HOME
    res.redirect('/');
});

Step 6 – Create App.js File

Go to your node js app directory and create app.js file, and all the routes in it:

const express = require('express');
const cookieParser = require('cookie-parser');
const app = express();
// APPLYING AS MIDDLEWARE
app.use(cookieParser());
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
    let cookieVal = req.cookies.username;
    let show;

    if (cookieVal) {
        show = `Hi ${cookieVal} <br><a href="/delete-cookie">Delete Cookie</a>`;
    } else {
        show = `<a href="/set-cookie">Set Cookie</a><br>
        <a href="/delete-cookie">Delete Cookie</a><br>`;
    }
    res.send(show);
});
// SET COOKIE
app.get('/set-cookie', (req, res) => {
    res.cookie('username', 'Webtutorials.ME', {
        maxAge: 1000 * 60, // 1 min
        httpOnly: true // http only, prevents JavaScript cookie access
    });
    // REDIRECT OT HOME
    res.redirect('/');
});
// DELETE COOKIE
app.get('/delete-cookie', (req, res) => {
    //DELETING username COOKIE
    res.clearCookie('username');
    // REDIRECT OT HOME
    res.redirect('/');
});
app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Your app listening on port 3000'));

Step 7 – Test This Application

You can use the following command to start node js app server:

//run the below command

npm start

Open your browser and hit

http://127.0.0.1:3000/

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