LostLink is a full-stack web platform that makes it easy for students and campus communities to report, track, and recover lost or found items. Users can post items, comment, and receive notifications when interactions occur. Admins can manage users, posts, and maintain platform safety.
- Responsive & Modern UI – smooth experience across devices.
- Dynamic Post Feed – filter by type, category, or search term.
- User Profiles – view stats, posts, and verification badges.
- Post & Comment System – create, update, and interact on posts.
- Admin Dashboard – overview, management, and cleanup capabilities.
- Notifications – real-time alerts for comments and interactions.
- Secure Authentication – JWT-based sessions with role-based access.
- Frontend: React 18+, TailwindCSS, Axios, React Router, React Hot Toast, Icon Libraries.
- Backend: Node.js, Express, MongoDB, JWT Authentication, Cloudinary for images.
- JWT tokens stored in
localStorageand automatically included in requests. - Protected routes for authenticated users; admin-only actions enforced.
- Admin actions confirmed via modals to prevent accidental data changes.
For more in-depth information, see:
- Frontend Documentation – UI components, pages, state management, and modals.
- Backend Documentation – API routes, database models, authentication, and notifications.
- Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/AbhishekGanvir/LostLink-College-Mini-Project-01.git
cd LostLink-College-Mini-Project-01- Install dependencies
npm install- Set up environment variables
Create a .env file in the root (or backend, if needed) with:
PORT=5000
NODE_ENV=development
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_secret_key
CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME=your_cloud_name
CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=your_api_key
CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=your_api_secret
REACT_APP_API_URL=http://localhost:5000/api
- Build frontend and start the app
npm run build
npm run start- Access the app Open your browser and go to:
http://localhost:5000
⚠️ Important: When deploying, make sure to replaceREACT_APP_API_URLwith your deployed backend URL — otherwise, the frontend will fail to connect to the backend.
We welcome contributions from anyone interested in improving LostLink! Whether it’s fixing bugs, adding features, improving UI/UX, or enhancing documentation, your help is appreciated.
- Follow existing code style and naming conventions.
- Test your changes locally before submitting.
- Keep commits small and focused.
- Respect the community and maintain a collaborative approach.