Start with the core backend runtime and request lifecycle so the rest of the stack has a clear mental model.
5 topics
How a Server Worksbeginner
Node.js Architectureintermediate
Modules & Package Managementbeginner
File System & Processbeginner
Events & EventEmitterintermediate
02
Building APIs in Node
Cover the practical API-building flow interviewers expect, from HTTP handling to validation and CRUD design.
5 topics
HTTP Fundamentalsbeginner
Express & Fastifybeginner
Middleware Patternsintermediate
Validation & Error Handlingintermediate
CRUD API End-to-Endintermediate
03
API design choices
Reinforce backend API design tradeoffs that commonly come up in system and product interviews.
4 topics
REST Design Principlesintermediate
Versioning, Pagination & Filteringintermediate
API Documentation & OpenAPIintermediate
gRPC & Webhooksadvanced
04
Data modeling and query performance
Lean into database fundamentals and performance, since backend interviews often probe schema design and query behavior.
6 topics
SQL Fundamentalsbeginner
Relational Data Modelingintermediate
Transactions & ACIDadvanced
Indexing & Query Performanceadvanced
ORMs & Query Buildersintermediate
Redis & Caching Layerintermediate
05
PostgreSQL depth
Use your existing SQL/Postgres familiarity to strengthen the areas that distinguish strong backend candidates.
4 topics
Migrations & Schema Evolutionintermediate
Connection Managementadvanced
Window Functions & Advanced Queriesadvanced
PostgreSQL Power Featuresadvanced
06
Authentication and API security
Consolidate the auth and security basics that are essential for safe backend design and frequently tested.
6 topics
Authentication Fundamentalsintermediate
Password & Credential Securityintermediate
JWT in Depthintermediate
OAuth 2.0 & OpenID Connectadvanced
API Security (OWASP)advanced
Rate Limiting & CORSintermediate
07
Real-time, async work, and backend integration
Round out the common production patterns for live updates, background processing, files, emails, and external systems.
6 topics
WebSockets on the Serveradvanced
Server-Sent Eventsintermediate
Message Queues & Background Jobsadvanced
File Uploads & Storageintermediate
Email & Notificationsintermediate
Consuming Third-party APIsintermediate
08
TypeScript for backend reliability
Tighten your backend TypeScript habits so you can talk clearly about boundaries, errors, and maintainable service contracts.
3 topics
Backend TS Project Setupintermediate
Typing the Boundaryintermediate
Error Modeling in TSadvanced
09
Production readiness and observability
Interviewers expect you to understand how backend services are tested, monitored, and debugged in real environments.
4 topics
Testing Backend Servicesintermediate
Logging & Monitoringintermediate
Debugging Production Nodeadvanced
OpenTelemetry in Nodeadvanced
10
Architecture and deployment patterns
Cover the design-level backend topics that show maturity in service boundaries, configuration, and deployment style.
6 topics
12-Factor & Configurationintermediate
Layered & Hexagonal Architectureadvanced
Modular Monolithadvanced
DDD for Product Teamsadvanced
Scaling Node.jsadvanced
Serverless Backend Patternsadvanced
11
Consolidation and modern backend fluency
Finish with advanced ecosystem topics and newer backend directions that help you synthesize tradeoffs in interviews.
5 topics
Node 22/24 Modern Featuresintermediate
Hono & Web-standard Backendsintermediate
Bun & Deno Landscapeintermediate
Multi-tenancy Patternsadvanced
Backpressure & Streaming Responsesadvanced
This is an anonymized snapshot shared by another learner — no names, notes, or progress. "Add to my roadmaps" copies the whole plan into your account as a new roadmap.