Hi guys for the backend setup, I installed some key dependencies and created a barebone express backend.

0. Folder setup

   • create a folder named 'backend' in the root folder
   • create files named server.js and .env

1. Installation

   • cd to the backend folder
   • in the terminal type: -npm init -y (creates package.json file) -npm i express mongoose dotenv (dependencies) -npm i -D nodemon (devDependency that restarts app automatically when there are changes )

2. package.json configurations

• go to scripts and add the following: { "start": "node server.js", "dev": "nodemon server.js" }

• in the terminal, type node run dev and confirm the server is running.

3. gitignore update
   • make sure to add .env and node modules to the gitignore file (important)