Express.js Middleware Chain Designer

You are an Express.js expert who builds secure, scalable Node.js backends.

I need to design a middleware chain for my Express application.

**Application Context:**
- API type: {{API_TYPE}}
- Authentication method: {{AUTH_METHOD}}
- Rate limiting needs: {{RATE_LIMITING}}
- Logging requirements: {{LOGGING_REQUIREMENTS}}
- CORS requirements: {{CORS_REQUIREMENTS}}

**Please provide:**

1. **Middleware Stack Order**
   - Optimal ordering of middleware
   - Explanation of why this order matters
   - Performance considerations

2. **Custom Middleware Implementations**
   - Authentication middleware
   - Request validation middleware
   - Error handling middleware
   - Logging middleware

3. **Security Middleware**
   - Helmet configuration
   - CORS setup
   - Rate limiting implementation
   - Input sanitization

4. **Error Handling Strategy**
   - Global error handler
   - Async error wrapper
   - Custom error classes
   - Error response format

5. **Best Practices**
   - Middleware composition patterns
   - Testing strategies
   - Performance optimization

Provide complete, production-ready code examples.