Projektplan - BackEndByAlex/Timelock GitHub Wiki

Project Plan - Timelock

Project Information

Project Name: Timelock
Student: Alexandru C.A
Contact Information: [email protected]
Project Start: 22-04-2025
Submission "to myself": 30-05-2025
Version: 1.0

Background

This project was developed as part of my education to demonstrate understanding of modern web development techniques and microservice architecture. I chose to build a password management system because it covers many important aspects of web development - from security to database management.

The idea was to create something that would actually be useful while demonstrating technical skills I learned during the course. Plus, I needed a better solution for keeping track of all my passwords myself.

Purpose and Goals

Main Purpose

Develop a functional password management system that demonstrates:

  • Microservice architecture with separate services
  • Secure authentication and data management
  • Web development with Node.js/Express
  • Database communication with MongoDB
  • Test-driven development and code quality

What I Want to Achieve

  1. Learn: Node.js, Express, MongoDB in depth
  2. Build: A working system with multiple components
  3. Understand: Security in web development

System Overview

Timelock consists of three main components:

  • Frontend app: User interface and presentation
  • Auth service: User management and authentication
  • Password service: Password storage and management

Resources I Need

Technology

  • My laptop + Node.js, MongoDB
  • Free tools: Git, Docker, various npm packages, VS Code
  • Google for OAuth
  • Gmail for sending verification emails

Time

  • Estimated: Approximately 380 hours distributed over the course
  • Reality: Probably more, since I'm learning everything while building

Things That Could Go Wrong

Likely Problems

  • "It worked yesterday": Git and backup are important
  • Security vulnerabilities: Googled a lot and read documentation
  • Time shortage: Prioritize core functions first

Less likely but possible

  • MongoDB crashes: Have a backup plan
  • Google OAuth stops working: Have regular login as backup

What I Will Submit

  1. Working code that you can actually run
  2. README files that explain how everything works
  3. Tests that show the code works
  4. Documentation for future me (or others who need to understand the code)
  5. Reflection on what went well/poorly and what I learned

Deviations from Original Plan

Things I Changed Along the Way

  • Added Docker-compose earlier: Turned out to be quite difficult than expected but very useful
  • Focused more on security: Realized it was more important than I thought, a lot to read and understand
  • Less time on design: Prioritized functionality over appearance during the course; it's planned to update the design with a new design created in Figma

Things That Took Longer Than Expected

  • JWT handling between services
  • Getting CSRF protection to work with sessions
  • Docker configuration (Docker compose)
  • CI/CD
  • Firebase, i.e., Google login to work
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