Open sourceBackend API implementation
task manager api
A task management backend with authentication, CRUD routes, filtering, sorting, and MVC structure.
Problem
Task APIs look simple until filtering, ownership, authentication, and update rules all meet. This project keeps those concerns separated in a maintainable backend.
Architecture
- Express routes expose authenticated task operations.
- Controllers handle CRUD behavior and query options.
- JWT identifies users and protects private task data.
- Filtering and sorting parameters shape task list responses.
Key decisions
- Used MVC structure to keep route definitions thin.
- Made filtering and sorting part of the API contract instead of client-only behavior.
- Kept authentication close to task ownership rules.
Tradeoffs
- MVC is easy to follow, but larger domains may need service-layer boundaries.
- Flexible query params help users, but they need validation to avoid ambiguous behavior.
What I learned
- Even small CRUD APIs benefit from clear ownership and query rules.
- Backend structure should make the common path obvious and edge cases visible.
Stack
Node.jsExpressJSJWTREST APICRUD OperationsMVC ArchitectureAuthentication