Display or download PDF from node.js server

node-pdf-generator.js

var restify = require('restify')
  , port = process.env.PORT || 3000
  , Phantom = require('phantom')
  , tmpdir = require('os').tmpdir()
  , fs = require('fs');

var server = restify.createServer();

function setResponseHeaders(res, filename) {
  res.header('Content-disposition', 'inline; filename=' + filename);
  res.header('Content-type', 'application/pdf');
}

server.get('/downloads/:filename', function(req, res, next) {
  var filename = req.params.filename;
  file = tmpdir + filename;
  setResponseHeaders(res, filename);

  Phantom.create(function(phantom) {
    phantom.createPage(function(page) {

      // Render PDF and send to browser
      function dispatchPDF() {
        page.render(file, function() {
          fs.createReadStream(file).pipe(res);
          phantom.exit();
        });
      };

      page.set('content', "<p>hello i am content</p>");
      page.set('paperSize', '5in');
      page.set('onLoadFinished', dispatchPDF);
    });
  });
});

server.listen(port, function() {
  console.log("Listening on port %s...", port);
});

What you have shown is for the local files stored in the root folder. But what if I want this pdf - https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/75264/8/08_chapter%201.pdf

You can go for implementing download-pdf library in your web app. It will take an url and get it downloaded to your preferred location.