The init() Hook
Run one-time server initialization code when the SvelteKit server starts.
The init() Hook is a free Sveltejs Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Sveltejs Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
What init Does
The init hook runs once when the SvelteKit server starts up, before any request.
Export init
From hooks.server.js.
export async function init() {
await connectDb();
console.log("Server ready");
}One-Time Setup
Initialize databases, warm caches, or load configuration here.
Async Allowed
SvelteKit waits for init to resolve before serving requests.
Failures Block Startup
If init throws, the server fails to start. Treat critical initialization as fatal.
Compared to Module-Level Code
Code at module top-level runs at import time; init runs at server start with await support.
Adapter Behavior
Serverless adapters may run init once per cold start, not once per app boot.
Sharing State
Store initialized resources in module scope and import from your routes.
Avoid Heavy Work
Slow init delays first request response. Keep it lean or use lazy init.
Logging
Log version, env, and ready-state for observability on container starts.
Use Cases
DB connection pools, warm in-memory caches, register telemetry hooks.
Quick Check
When does init run?
Recap
init runs once at server boot. Initialize databases, caches, and one-time resources here.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “The init() Hook” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “The init() Hook” is free to read here on the web, and the Sveltejs Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Sveltejs Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “The init() Hook”?
Run one-time server initialization code when the SvelteKit server starts. You practise Sveltejs Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Sveltejs Academy?
No prior experience is required. Sveltejs Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “The init() Hook” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Sveltejs Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Sveltejs Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.