💼 DevTinder – Backend (Express + MongoDB + JWT + WebSockets)

🚀 DevTinder — a professional networking platform for developers to connect, chat, and collaborate in real-time.

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🧩 Overview

DevTinder is a Tinder-style developer networking platform, built with Express.js, MongoDB, and Socket.io.
It provides secure JWT-based authentication, real-time chat functionality, and scalable APIs for user profiles, connections, and messaging.

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⚙️ Tech Stack

Layer	Technology
Backend Framework	Node.js (Express.js)
Database	MongoDB + Mongoose
Authentication	JWT + bcrypt.js
Real-time Communication	Socket.io
File Uploads (optional)	Cloudinary
API Documentation	Swagger
Hosting	Render
Security	Helmet, CORS, dotenv

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✨ Core Features

✅ User Authentication — Register, Login, and JWT token-based protection
✅ Profile Management — Update bio, skills, experience, and avatar
✅ Connection System — Send, receive, and accept developer connection requests
✅ Real-Time Chat — Live messaging using Socket.io
✅ Search & Filter — Discover other developers by skill or location
✅ Activity Logging — Tracks new messages, requests, and acceptances
✅ Production-Ready APIs — With error handling, async middleware, and modular routes

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🧱 Project Structure

DevTinder-Backend/
┣ src/
┃ ┣ controllers/      → All route logic (auth, users, chats, etc.)
┃ ┣ models/           → MongoDB schemas
┃ ┣ routes/           → API routes
┃ ┣ middleware/       → Auth middleware (JWT validation)
┃ ┣ config/           → DB + socket.io setup
┃ ┣ utils/            → Helper functions
┣ server.js           → Entry point
┣ .env                → Environment variables
┗ README.md           → Documentation

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🧠 API Highlights

🔐 Auth

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/auth/register	Register a new user
POST	/api/auth/login	Login and get JWT token

👥 Users

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/users/me	Get logged-in user details
PUT	/api/users/me	Update profile

🤝 Connections

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/connections/send/:id	Send a connection request
PUT	/api/connections/accept/:id	Accept request
GET	/api/connections	Get all connections

💬 Chat

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/chats/:userId	Get chat history with a user
POST	/api/chats/:userId	Send a new message

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🔧 Setup & Installation

# 1️⃣ Clone repo
git clone https://github.com/<your-username>/DevTinder-Backend.git
cd DevTinder-Backend

# 2️⃣ Install dependencies
npm install

# 3️⃣ Create .env file
PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=yourMongoURI
JWT_SECRET=yourJWTSecret
CLIENT_URL_DEV=http://localhost:5173
CLIENT_URL_PROD=https://devtinder-frontend.vercel.app

# 4️⃣ Start development server
npm run dev

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☁️ Deployment

Service	Purpose
Render	Backend hosting
MongoDB Atlas	Database
Vercel	Frontend hosting
Swagger	API documentation

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🔒 Environment Variables

Variable	Description
MONGO_URI	MongoDB Atlas URI
JWT_SECRET	Secret for JWT signing
CLIENT_URL_DEV	Local frontend URL
CLIENT_URL_PROD	Production frontend URL
PORT	Server port

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🧭 Future Enhancements

• Typing indicators in chat
• Message read receipts
• Profile verification system
• Email notifications for connection requests

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🧑‍💻 Author

Bhupesh Aher 🔗 GitHub Profile

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📸 Screenshots (comming soon)