GOAT

Backend and frontend live under src/. Key backend notes for replacing the frontend mocks:

Backend (Express + MongoDB)

• Env vars: MONGO_URL (Mongo connection string) and FIREBASE_ADMIN_KEY_BASE64 (base64 JSON service account for Firebase Admin).
• Run locally: cd src/backend && npm install && npm run dev.
• Dev seed: when NODE_ENV !== "production" the first college query seeds src/backend/dict/seed-colleges.json into Mongo so the search/browse UI has data.

API quick reference

• GET /api/colleges?q=&letter=&limit= – list/browse; returns { success, data, total } with name, location, acceptanceRate, tuition, plus raw fields.
• GET /api/colleges/search?q= – search alias (limit 25 by default).
• GET /api/colleges/suggestions?q= – lightweight objects for the search bar.
• POST /api/colleges, PUT /api/colleges/:id, DELETE /api/colleges/:id, GET /api/colleges/:id – admin CRUD.
• Auth-required (Firebase ID token in Authorization: Bearer <token>):
  • POST /api/users/sync, GET/PUT/DELETE /api/users/:firebaseUid?.
  • GET /api/saved (list), GET /api/saved/:id, POST /api/saved, PUT /api/saved/:id, DELETE /api/saved/:id, GET /api/saved/check/:name.
  • Saved payload supports name/INSTNM, deadline, location (CITY/STABBR), website, notes, applicationStatus, essayStatus, recommendationStatus, and extras (array).