A client has a problem. I rush out a webpage app in a few days to solve it. Add a few week's real-world testing, debugging, iterating and sometimes a rewrite, the app stabilizes for this one client on a modern browser (often on iPhone or iPad).

This is my starting point (or boilerplate) for such apps.

• codes faster:
  • supports ES6 which makes fast app making libraries like Redux & React faster and less buggy
  • auto-reload server on server file change
  • auto-refresh webpage on css and javascript change
  • Uses only npm scripts for automation (or tooling). Alternatives gulp and grunt take up too much space, it slows down the initial creation of a project, and plugins are more likely to break.
• mostly dumb server:
  • I mostly make apps that only hit the server once to download files, then connects to firebase for data storage. (or single-page web app). For my one client with his advanced browser the single-page app responds instantly to data edits and view changes despite always under spotty internet. (Most of these apps run in restaurants.)
  • with express as the server it's very easy to add 1 or 2 server functions like SMS authentication.