The error you're facing:

Error: Cannot find module '/app/dist/server.js'

means that Railway is trying to run a file (dist/server.js) that doesn’t exist yet, because the project wasn't built before starting.

This happens in monorepo setups when you:

• Set a root path (like /server)

• But don’t build the code before running it.

Solution for Railway Deployment

To fix this in Railway, update your railway.json or project settings like this:

railway.json (or GUI settings if you're using the dashboard):

{
  "root": "server",
  "buildCommand": "npm install && npm run build",
  "startCommand": "npm start"
}

Also check the server/package.json:

Make sure it has a build script:

"scripts": {
  "build": "tsc",
  "start": "node dist/server.js"
}

Or if using Babel:

"build": "babel src -d dist"

The important thing is that npm run build must create dist/server.js.

Final Steps

1. Go to Railway → Deployments

2. Set Root Directory = server

3. Set Build Command = npm install && npm run build

4. Set Start Command = npm start

5. Redeploy

Let me know if you want me to look at your actual repo or help prepare the railway.json file — I can do that too.