Common AdonisJS Issues and Solutions

1. Database Connection Failures

AdonisJS fails to connect to the database, preventing the application from running.

Root Causes:

  • Incorrect database configuration in the .env file.
  • Database server not running or connection timeout.
  • Missing or incorrect database drivers.

Solution:

Ensure the database configuration in .env is correct:

DB_CONNECTION=mysqlDB_HOST=127.0.0.1DB_PORT=3306DB_USER=rootDB_PASSWORD=passwordDB_DATABASE=adonis_app

Verify database connectivity:

mysql -u root -p -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3306

Install the required database driver:

npm install mysql2

2. Routing Issues

Routes return 404 errors or unexpected responses.

Root Causes:

  • Routes not registered properly in start/routes.ts.
  • Incorrect HTTP method used in requests.
  • Middleware or authentication blocking route access.

Solution:

Ensure routes are correctly defined in start/routes.ts:

Route.get("/users", "UsersController.index");

Use the correct HTTP method:

curl -X GET http://localhost:3333/users

Check middleware configuration in start/kernel.ts:

Server.middleware.register(["App/Middleware/Auth"])

3. Authentication Failures

Users are unable to log in or authentication fails unexpectedly.

Root Causes:

  • Incorrect hashing configuration for passwords.
  • Invalid JWT token or session expiration issues.
  • Missing authentication provider setup.

Solution:

Ensure password hashing is configured correctly:

npm install @adonisjs/hash

Verify authentication provider settings in config/auth.ts:

provider: {  driver: "lucid",  model: () => import("App/Models/User"),  uids: ["email"],}

Check for valid JWT tokens:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN

4. Performance Bottlenecks

Application response times are slow due to inefficient queries or high CPU usage.

Root Causes:

  • Unoptimized database queries leading to slow responses.
  • Excessive logging slowing down request processing.
  • Blocking operations executed in the main event loop.

Solution:

Use query optimization techniques:

const users = await Database.from("users").select("id", "name");

Reduce logging level in production:

Logger.level = "info";

Run background tasks using queues:

Job.dispatch("SendEmail", { email: "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." });

5. Dependency Conflicts and Installation Errors

AdonisJS projects fail to install or run due to dependency issues.

Root Causes:

  • Version conflicts between AdonisJS packages.
  • Node.js version incompatibility.
  • Corrupt node_modules or missing dependencies.

Solution:

Ensure Node.js version is compatible:

node -v# Use recommended versionnvm use 16

Delete and reinstall dependencies:

rm -rf node_modules package-lock.jsonnpm install

Check for dependency conflicts:

npm list --depth=0

Best Practices for AdonisJS Development

  • Use environment variables to manage database and API credentials securely.
  • Optimize database queries and use indexes to improve performance.
  • Regularly update dependencies to avoid compatibility issues.
  • Enable detailed logging for debugging but minimize logging in production.
  • Use caching mechanisms to reduce response time for frequently accessed data.

Conclusion

By troubleshooting database connection failures, routing errors, authentication issues, performance bottlenecks, and dependency conflicts, developers can effectively manage and deploy AdonisJS applications. Implementing best practices improves stability, security, and maintainability.

FAQs

1. Why is my AdonisJS application failing to connect to the database?

Check the database configuration in .env, verify that the database service is running, and ensure required drivers are installed.

2. How do I fix routing issues in AdonisJS?

Ensure routes are correctly registered in start/routes.ts and use the correct HTTP methods when making requests.

3. Why is my AdonisJS authentication not working?

Verify authentication provider settings, check password hashing configuration, and ensure valid JWT tokens are used.

4. How can I improve AdonisJS performance?

Optimize database queries, minimize logging in production, and move blocking operations to background jobs.

5. How do I resolve dependency conflicts in AdonisJS?

Check for version mismatches, ensure Node.js is using a compatible version, and reinstall dependencies cleanly.