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[Changelog](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/blob/main/packages/backend/CHANGELOG.md)
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[Report a Bug](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/issues/new?assignees=&labels=needs-triage&projects=&template=BUG_REPORT.yml)
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[Request a Feature](https://feedback.clerk.com/roadmap)
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[Get help](https://clerk.com/contact/support?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend)
## Getting Started
[Clerk's](https://clerk.com/?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend) JavaScript Backend SDK exposes [Clerk's Backend API](https://clerk.com/docs/reference/backend-api) resources and low-level authentication utilities **for JavaScript environments**.
### Prerequisites
- Node.js `>=20.9.0` (or later) or any V8 isolates runtime
- An existing Clerk application. [Create your account for free](https://dashboard.clerk.com/sign-up?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend).
### Installation
The fastest way to get started with `@clerk/backend` is by following the [JavaScript Backend SDK reference documentation](https://clerk.com/docs/references/backend/overview?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend).
You'll learn how to install `@clerk/backend` and how to use `createClerkClient()`.
## Usage
For further information, guides, and examples visit the [JavaScript Backend SDK reference documentation](https://clerk.com/docs/references/backend/overview?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend). It lists all the available APIs and methods.
## Testing
This project uses [vitest](https://vitest.dev/) as the unit test runner and [msw](https://mswjs.io/) for mocking network requests.
If you need to see which requests are being intercepted by `msw`, you can run the test suite with the following env: `DEBUG_MOCK_REQUESTS=true`
## Support
You can get in touch with us in any of the following ways:
- Join our official community [Discord server](https://clerk.com/discord)
- On [our support page](https://clerk.com/contact/support?utm_source=github&utm_medium=clerk_backend)
## Contributing
We're open to all community contributions! If you'd like to contribute in any way, please read [our contribution guidelines](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/blob/main/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [code of conduct](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/blob/main/docs/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
## Security
`@clerk/backend` follows good practices of security, but 100% security cannot be assured.
`@clerk/backend` is provided **"as is"** without any **warranty**. Use at your own risk.
_For more information and to report security issues, please refer to our [security documentation](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/blob/main/docs/SECURITY.md)._
## License
This project is licensed under the **MIT license**.
See [LICENSE](https://github.com/clerk/javascript/blob/main/packages/backend/LICENSE) for more information.
