The Nerdy Nomad: Building a Full-Stack Web Application—A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to The Nerdy Nomad! I'm excited to announce an upcoming series where I'll walk you through building a full-stack web application from scratch. This series is perfect for developers of all skill levels who are interested in mastering both the front-end and back-end aspects of web development. The tutorials will be streamed live on Twitch at twitch.tv/themehrankhan, with highlights available on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Twitter (X). Let’s dive into the journey of creating a robust, scalable, and modern web application.

What You’ll Learn

This series will cover everything from setting up your development environment to deploying your application. We’ll explore a monorepo structure, which houses both the front-end and back-end codebases, making it easier to manage large-scale projects. Here’s what we’ll cover:

1. Setting Up Your Development Environment

   • Prerequisites: Installing Node.js and Yarn.

   • Getting Started: Cloning the repository and setting up the project locally using yarn install. (repository link will be here)

   • Running the Development Server: Using yarn run dev to start the development process.

   • Building for Production: Compiling the project with yarn run build.

2. Understanding the Project Structure

   • Root Directory Overview:

     • Configuration Files: Overview of TypeScript (tsconfig.json), Tailwind CSS (tailwind.config.ts), and TurboRepo (turbo.json) configurations.

   • Apps & Packages:

     • apps Directory: The front-end and back-end applications, including native mobile support.

     • packages Directory: Shared UI components and logic between the web and native apps.

3. Exploring the Front-End (Web and Native)

   • Web Application:

     • Overview of the Next.js setup in the apps/web directory.

     • Key configurations such as Dockerfile, next.config.js, and Tailwind CSS integration.

     • Understanding the component structure and utilizing React components across the application.

   • Native Application:

     • Delving into the React Native codebase found in apps/app.

     • Configuring Android and iOS apps with Gradle, CocoaPods, and Expo.

     • Managing static assets and environment variables.

4. Back-End Development

   • API Development: Building and managing API routes using the TRPC framework.

   • Database Integration:

     • Using Prisma for ORM and database migrations.

     • Setting up Supabase for backend services like authentication and real-time data.

   • Server-Side Logic: Writing and managing server-side code, including middleware and authentication providers.

5. State Management and Routing

   • State Management: Implementing state management with React Query across your application.

   • Routing: Configuring routing using Next.js for web and React Router or Remix for other applications.

   • Live and Realtime Features: Integrating live updates and real-time functionalities with auto and manual modes.

6. Styling and Theming

   • Tailwind CSS: Customizing your application’s UI with Tailwind CSS.

   • NativeWind: Styling solutions for the native app, ensuring consistency across platforms.

   • Theming: Managing color modes and themes with easy-to-use configuration files.

7. Testing and Debugging

   • Testing Frameworks: Setting up and writing tests using Jest, Playwright, and other testing libraries.

   • Debugging Tools: Using Refine Devtools, Chrome DevTools, and custom debugging scripts to ensure a smooth development process.

8. Deployment and DevOps

   • Containerization: Using Docker to containerize the web application for consistent deployment.

   • Continuous Integration: Setting up CI/CD pipelines with TurboRepo and integrating with platforms like Liara for deployment.

9. Advanced Features and Customization

   • Auth and Data Providers: Implementing advanced authentication and data handling features.

   • Command Palette and Devtools: Enhancing developer experience with powerful tools and shortcuts.

   • Customization Options: Exploring multi-level menus, command-line tools, and custom forms.

Why Follow This Series?

By the end of this series, you’ll have a fully functional web application, complete with a backend, frontend, and native support. You’ll also gain valuable experience in managing a monorepo, working with modern technologies like React, Next.js, TypeScript, Prisma, and Tailwind CSS. Whether you're building your portfolio or looking to start a new project, this series will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need.

Join me on Twitch at twitch.tv/themehrankhan to follow along live, and don’t forget to catch the highlights on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Twitter (X), and maybe TikTok? idk yet will decide later. Let’s build something amazing together!