Bolt
api
API Route Returns 500 Error - Internal Server Error
Your API route returns a 500 Internal Server Error even though the code looks correct. The same logic works fine when tested manually.
Frontend gets error when calling the route, but no detailed error message.
Error Messages You Might See
500 Internal Server Error
Error: database connection refused
TypeError: Cannot read property 'id' of undefined
Unexpected end of JSON input
Common Causes
- Unhandled exception in route handler
- Database connection failed or query error
- Missing required parameters or wrong parameter types
- Environment variable undefined in production
- Async/await syntax error or promise rejection
How to Fix It
Add comprehensive error handling: try { ... } catch(e) { return NextResponse.json({ error: e.message }, { status: 500 }) }
Log errors: console.error('Route error:', e) to see details in logs
Check all parameters: ensure request.json() actually contains expected fields
Verify env vars loaded: console.log(process.env.VAR) at route start
Test with curl or Postman to isolate frontend from issue
Real developers can help you.
Tejas Chokhawala
Full-stack engineer with 5 years experience building production web apps using React, Next.js and TypeScript.
Focused on performance, clean architecture and shipping fast.
Experienced with Supabase/Postgres backends, Stripe billing, and building AI-assisted developer tools.
Caio Rodrigues
I'm a full-stack developer focused on building practical and scalable web applications. My main experience is with **React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures**, where I prioritize clean code, component reusability, and maintainable project structures.
I have strong experience working with **dynamic forms, state management (Redux / React Hook Form), and complex data-driven interfaces**. I enjoy solving real-world problems by turning ideas into reliable software that companies can actually use in their daily operations.
Beyond coding, I care about **software quality and architecture**, following best practices for componentization, code organization, and performance optimization.
I'm also comfortable working across the stack when needed, integrating APIs, handling business logic, and helping transform prototypes into production-ready systems.
My goal is always to deliver solutions that are **simple, efficient, and genuinely useful for the people using them.**
Bastien Labelle
Full stack dev w/ 20+ years of experience
ISHANTDEEP SINGH
Senior Software Engineer with 7+ years of experience in React, JavaScript, TypeScript, Next.js, and Node.js. I’ve also worked as a tech lead for startups, owning end-to-end technical execution including architecture, development, scaling, and delivery. I bring a strong mix of hands-on coding, product thinking, and technical leadership, and I’m comfortable building products from scratch as well as improving and scaling existing systems.
Vlad Temian
15+ years shipping production infrastructure for startups. Former CTO at qed.builders (acquired by The Sandbox).
Cursor ambassador and agentic tooling builder.
I've scaled systems, automated deployments, and built observability tools for AI coding workflows. I specialize in taking vibe-coded apps from broken prototype to production-ready: fixing Supabase auth/RLS, Stripe integrations, deployment pipelines, and cleaning up AI-generated spaghetti.
I build tools in this space (agentprobe, claudebin, micode) and understand both sides: how AI generates code and why it breaks.
https://blog.vtemian.com/
Pratik
SWE with 15+ years of experience building and maintaining web apps and extensive BE infrastructure
BurnHavoc
Been around fixing other peoples code for 20 years.
Richard McSorley
Full-Stack Software Engineer with 8+ years building high-performance applications for enterprise clients. Shipped production systems at Walmart (4,000+ stores), Cigna (20M+ users), and Arkansas Blue Cross. 5 patents in retail/supply chain tech. Currently focused on AI integrations, automation tools, and TypeScript-first architectures.
Basel Issmail
’m a Senior Full-Stack Developer and Tech Lead with experience designing and building scalable web platforms. I work across the full development lifecycle, from translating business requirements into technical architecture to delivering reliable production systems.
My work focuses on modern web technologies, including TypeScript, Angular, Node.js, and cloud-based architectures. I enjoy solving complex technical problems and helping teams turn product ideas and prototypes into working platforms that can grow and scale.
In addition to development, I often collaborate closely with product managers, business analysts, designers, and QA teams to ensure that solutions align with both technical and business goals.
I enjoy working with startups and product teams where I can contribute both as a hands-on engineer and as a technical partner in designing and delivering impactful software.
Anthony Akpan
Developer with 8 years of experience building softwares fro startups
You don't need to be technical. Just describe what's wrong and a verified developer will handle the rest.
Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions
How do I debug API route errors?
Add console.log/console.error throughout the route. Check deployment logs. Test with curl
What's the best way to handle errors?
Use try/catch. Return meaningful error messages and status codes (400 for bad input, 401 for auth, 500 for server)
Why would route work locally but fail on deploy?
Missing env vars, different database URL, or permission issues. Verify all env vars set in deployment