DevConnect Backend

This is the backend API for the DevConnect platform — a developer networking application that enables users to connect, collaborate on projects, and grow their professional network.

The backend is built with Express.js, TypeScript, and MongoDB, using HTTP-only cookies for secure authentication and token management.

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Features

• JWT Authentication** (Access + Refresh Tokens stored in cookies)
• User Registration & Login**
• Token Refresh & Secure Logout**
• Role-Based Authorization**
• Project Management (CRUD)**
• TypeScript for type safety**
• Modular architecture** (controllers, services, repositories)
• Error handling middleware**
• Input validation**

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Project Structure

src/ │ ├── config | └── db.ts | ├── controllers │ ├── authController.ts │ └── errorController.ts | └── userController.ts | ├── middleware │ ├── authMiddleware.ts │ └── errorMiddleware.ts | └── roleMiddleware.ts | ├── models │ ├── BlacklistedToken.ts │ └── project.ts | └── user.ts | ├── repositories │ ├── projectRepositories.ts │ └── userRepository.ts | ├── routes │ ├── authRoutes.ts │ └── projectRoutes.ts | └── userRoutes.ts | ├── services/auth │ ├── loginService.ts │ └── logOutService.ts | └── refreshTokenService.ts | └── registerService.ts ├── types/ │ └── index.tsx ├── utils/ │ └── cookieStore.ts | └── tokenUtils.ts | └── validation.ts └── server.tsx

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⚙️ Tech Stack

Category	Technologies
Runtime	Node.js
Framework	Express.js
Language	TypeScript
Database	MongoDB (Mongoose)
Auth	JWT + HTTP-only Cookies
Validation	Zod / Joi
Environment	dotenv
Logging	morgan
Frontend	DevConnect-Fe

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API Overview

Auth Routes (/api/auth)

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/register	Register new user
POST	/login	Authenticate user and set cookies
POST	/refresh-token	Refresh access token
POST	/logout	Log out user and clear cookies

User Routes (/api/users)

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/	Get all users (Admin only)
GET	/:id	Get user by ID

Project Routes (/api/projects)

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/	Get all projects
POST	/	Create new project
PATCH	/:id	Update project
DELETE	/:id	Delete project

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Authentication Flow

1. User logs in / registers → server sends JWT access and refresh tokens as HTTP-only cookies.
2. Subsequent requests include cookies automatically.
3. Access token expires → client silently requests /refresh-token to get a new one.
4. Logout → both tokens are invalidated (blacklisted) and cookies cleared.

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Setup Instructions

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/DevConnect-Be.git
cd DevConnect-Be

2. Install dependencies npm install

3. Configure environment variables

Create a .env file in the root directory:

PORT=5000 MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string JWT_ACCESS_SECRET=your_access_secret JWT_REFRESH_SECRET=your_refresh_secret COOKIE_SECRET=your_cookie_secret CLIENT_URL=https://devconnect-fe.vercel.app NODE_ENV=development

4. Run the server npm run dev

Server will start on http://localhost:5000

Scripts Command Description npm run dev Run server in development mode (ts-node-dev) npm run build Compile TypeScript to JavaScript npm start Start server from build directory

Frontend Integration Frontend repo: DevConnect-Fe Ensure your CORS configuration allows: origin: process.env.CLIENT_URL, credentials: true

so cookies are sent securely between frontend and backend.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.