1
🏗️ Restructure GitHub Repository
Create separate frontend/ and backend/ directories to organize your codebase. Move existing static content into the frontend folder and initialize a Node.js backend with essential dependencies.
Why needed: Separation of concerns allows independent development, scaling, and deployment of frontend and backend components. This structure is essential for modern web applications and enables better code organization.
Express.js
Mongoose
CORS
JWT
2
⚙️ Develop Node.js Express Backend
Build a structured backend with organized folders for controllers, models, routes, and middleware. Create the main server file and configure database connections.
Why needed: A well-structured backend ensures maintainable code, scalability, and separation of business logic. Express.js provides a robust framework for handling HTTP requests and API endpoints efficiently.
MVC Pattern
API Routes
Middleware
Database Config
3
🔐 Implement Authorization & User Management
Set up comprehensive authentication with JWT tokens, password hashing with bcryptjs, OAuth integration, two-factor authentication, and role-based access control.
Why needed: Security is paramount in web applications. JWT provides stateless authentication, password hashing protects user credentials, and role-based access ensures users only access appropriate resources.
JWT
bcryptjs
OAuth 2.0
2FA/TOTP
RBAC
4
🗄️ Database Setup on MongoDB Atlas
Create a free MongoDB Atlas cluster, configure network access, set up database users with appropriate permissions, and obtain the connection string for your backend.
Why needed: MongoDB Atlas provides a managed, scalable database solution with built-in security, backups, and monitoring. It eliminates the need for database infrastructure management while ensuring high availability.
MongoDB Atlas
Cloud Database
Security
Scalability
5
🚀 Deploy to Vercel
Configure deployment with vercel.json, set up environment variables securely, and deploy both frontend and backend to Vercel's edge network for optimal performance.
Why needed: Vercel offers seamless deployment with automatic scaling, edge caching, and excellent developer experience. It supports both static frontends and serverless functions, making it perfect for full-stack applications.
Vercel CLI
Serverless
Edge Network
Environment Variables
6
🔒 Important Security Considerations
Implement HTTPS enforcement, secure environment variable management, comprehensive testing strategies, and performance monitoring to ensure a production-ready application.
Why needed: Security and reliability are non-negotiable in production applications. Proper encryption, secret management, and testing prevent vulnerabilities and ensure consistent performance for users.
HTTPS
Secret Management
Testing
Monitoring