In most Node.js backend projects, especially when they start to grow, you end up with multiple folders like:

• controllers/

• routes/

• models/

• middlewares/

• services/

Each folder contains dozens of .js files.
There are situations where you might want to combine all files from each folder into a single .txt document, such as:

• Migrating to a new project

• Sharing code with someone without exposing your full repository

• Creating documentation or team references

• Backing up readable versions of your code

• Auditing your code structure quickly

Today I'm sharing a reusable Node.js script that automatically merges all .js files within these folders into separate output text files - in one single run.

---

Project Folder Structure (Example)

controllers/
routes/
models/
middlewares/
services/
  └── utils/
combineAll.js  ← our script

---

The Goal

We want the script to output:

controllers.txt
routes.txt
models.txt
middlewares.txt
services.txt
utils.txt

Each file should contain the merged content of all .js files inside its respective folder, with proper headers like:

/* ===== File: userController.js ===== */

---

Full Script: combineAll.js (Ready to Use)

This script works with ES Modules, so it supports import instead of CommonJS require.

Just place this file in the root of your backend project:

import fs from "fs";
import path from "path";
import { fileURLToPath } from "url";

// Recreate __dirname for ES modules
const __filename = fileURLToPath(import.meta.url);
const __dirname = path.dirname(__filename);

// ===== Generic function to combine .js files inside a folder =====
function combineFiles(folderPath, outputName) {
  const targetDir = path.join(__dirname, folderPath);
  const outputFile = path.join(__dirname, outputName);

  if (!fs.existsSync(targetDir)) {
    console.log(`Folder "${folderPath}" not found. Skipping...`);
    return;
  }

  const files = fs
    .readdirSync(targetDir)
    .filter((file) => file.endsWith(".js"));

  let combinedContent = "";

  files.forEach((file) => {
    const filePath = path.join(targetDir, file);
    const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, "utf8");

    combinedContent += `\n\n/* ===== File: ${file} ===== */\n\n`;
    combinedContent += content;
  });

  fs.writeFileSync(outputFile, combinedContent, "utf8");

  console.log(`Combined ${folderPath} → ${outputName}`);
}

// ===== Run for all folders =====

// Main folders
combineFiles("controllers", "controllers.txt");
combineFiles("routes", "routes.txt");
combineFiles("models", "models.txt");
combineFiles("middlewares", "middlewares.txt");

// Services (main folder)
combineFiles("services", "services.txt");

// Services/utils subfolder
combineFiles("services/utils", "utils.txt");

console.log("\n All folders combined successfully!\n");

---

How to Run the Script

Open your terminal in the backend root:

node combineAll.js

This will instantly generate:

• controllers.txt

• routes.txt

• models.txt

• middlewares.txt

• services.txt

• utils.txt

Each file neatly organizes your entire folder’s code for quick reference or export.

---

MY Final Thoughts

This simple script has saved my a lot of time when sharing, documenting, and migrating backend logic across systems. Instead of manually copying files, a single command neatly organizes and exports everything you need.

If your Node.js backend has grown large and complex, tools like this help bring clarity and speed back into your workflow.